Flooding Threatens Villages Downriver of Kuskokwim

A 20-mile run of ice has jammed two miles from Aniak. Once the holding ice begins to move, it is expected to jam and force the water surrounding Aniak to rise.

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By Andrea Gusty

Story Created: May 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM AKDT

 Tonight on the Kuskokwim River, danger has subsided in Crooked Creek but heightens for nearby Aniak.

 A 20-mile run of ice has stopped two miles upstream from Aniak, which could soon cause flooding in the community. 

 River watch teams have been flying the Kuskokwim multiple times a day, radioing detailed accounts of every little ice movement. 

 According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the dike in Aniak is structurally unacceptable. 

 The dike is riddled with animal burrows, vehicle ruts, and the biggest problem: trees.  Ron Powell, Aniak city manager, said, “The root balls grow and it just opens up areas underneath.  People think that this would be holding this together, and it is the exact opposite- it opens up channels to allow moisture and water into this thing and then it just starts splitting it."”

 If the dike does split it will cause huge problems for Aniak when it’s hit with the 20-mile run of ice. 

 “Hopefully this levee will hold. If it doesn’t, our town is underwater, the airport is underwater, and we are all going to be living at the high school,” Powell said. 

 

 

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concerned said on Saturday, May 14 at 6:02 PM

Who is responsible for the dike's maintenance? The Army Corps seldomely builds something like this without putting someone in charge of maintenance. If flooding occurs and the dike breaks, who will be accountable?

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B responsible said on Saturday, May 14 at 9:56 PM

The village is responsible. The Corp created it to protect them, they are to do maintenance and take action for themselves.

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james said on Monday, May 16 at 8:34 AM

Have the military use the ice jams for target practice an blow the ice jams away that threaten the villages.They would have target practice,an get up lets move out training. Thousands of bucks of damage would be saved. Then kids can still wake up an say,"Momy I don`t want to go to school"!

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