Mendenhall River

The Mendenhall River (Lingít: Woosh Ilʼóox̱ʼu Héen) is an Alaskan river north of Juneau in the Mendenhall Valley. The river begins at the Mendenhall Lake, at the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. The river is about six miles (9 kilometers) long, one mile (1.6 km) of which is whitewater. It is crossed by the Brotherhood Bridge around where the surrounding landscape transitions from rural to urban.

The river is named in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, the superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (1889–1894).

Flooding

Minor flood stage for the Mendenhall River is 12 feet (3.7 m), and a level of 14 feet (4.3 m) is more likely to cause extensive problems. If the Mendenhall is at minor flood stage, however, it is likely that areas such as Montana Creek, Jordan Creek, and the Mendenhall Lake are also experiencing flooding at that time.

Since 2011, periodic glacial floods have occurred from the Suicide Basin through the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska.[1] A major release in 2023 destroyed two buildings.[2] Two dozen homes were flooded in 2023, and about 300 in 2024.[3]

Hesco barriers were installed for the 2025 flood season in some areas.[4][5] Despite this, the 2025 flood reached at least 50 homes, severely damaging at least 6 outside the protected area.[6]

Recreation

Rafting is most popular on the river from May through September.

See also

References

  1. ^ Suicide Basin Monitoring and Current Conditions
  2. ^ Historic glacial flooding in Alaska triggers evacuations
  3. ^ Alix Soliman (August 14, 2025). "Juneau hit by flooding from melting glacier for third year in a row". NPR.
  4. ^ Edward Helmore (August 13, 2025). "Barriers prevent severe flooding in Alaska capital after glacier outburst".
  5. ^ A glacier outburst sent a surge of water downstream into Juneau. Flood barriers protected the city from disaster
  6. ^ Zaz Hollander (August 19, 2025). "Record glacial flooding in Juneau damaged nearly 50 homes".

58°20′43″N 134°36′55″W / 58.34528°N 134.61528°W / 58.34528; -134.61528

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