I’m up early every weekday morning pulling together all the news and information you need to start your day. I find the stories unique to Juneau or Southeast Alaska that may linger or become food-for-thought at the end of your day. What information do you need from me to give your day some context?
Stories include a possible delay in a decision on an electricity rate increase and a groundbreaking for a new forest science laboratory building.
Conceptual renderings of the U.S Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station Juneau Forestry Sciences Laboratory planned for near Auke Lake. The drawing at the left shows the uphill side as it faces the bike path and the lower left drawing shows the opposite side facing Auke Lake.
Master Gardener Ed Buyarski has some tips for drainage and a preview of some upcoming gardening events.
Stories include a recent meeting between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials and charter operators in Homer over a proposed catch sharing plan.
Stories include an update on flooding to Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River.
Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River are now at minor flood stage.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for both areas.
Mendenhall Lake was nearly at 9.7 feet last hour. The river was over 11.8 feet.
Hydrometeorological technician Geri Swanson says they expect water levels to continue rising a bit.
“Right now with the continued rainfall, we’re looking for the crest hopefully within the next six to twelve hours,” said Swanson. “And then (we’ll be) seeing a gradual decrease though the night and tomorrow.”
Swanson says water has come up to the lower part of the Mendenhall Lake Campground and a yard of a house on View Drive. Part of the road to Skater’s Cabin is closed.
But the Swanson doesn’t expect water levels to get as high as this summer’s glacial outburst. Rainfall has already started tapering off.
Official observations at the Juneau Airport recorded 2.17 inches for the weekend’s rainfall. Swanson says it’s almost 2.75 inches including today’s rainfall.
Other areas in Juneau may have more or less. For instance, a rain gauge in the downtown Juneau area recorded a total of 4.18 inches from Friday until Monday morning.
The Taku River crested at just over 39 feet over the weekend, four feet short of flood stage.
Montana Creek also briefly flooded Saturday, but water levels have already trended down. Swanson says that stream is more susceptible to sudden heavy downpours instead of steady constant rainfall.
Stories include a preview of the competitive process to be used for selection of a management firm for Bartlett Regional Hospital and the latest on a guacamole recall.
