Matanuska River Flooding Threatens Homes

At least one house is moved due to erosion

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Aug 2, 2012 at 6:36 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 2, 2012 at 6:36 PM AKDT

SUTTON - The raging Matanuska River is threatening more homes. Borough officials on Thursday said the river is closing in on five homes, three in the Sutton area and two of them in the Butte.

The river has been slowly swallowing homes in Sutton for the past two years. In recent days the erosion has been especially aggressive causing several people to pack up and move.

But it is in an area of the Butte where the river has taken the most dramatic turn. Several homes that literally had acres of woods behind them two weeks ago now have rushing flood waters at their back doors. It’s an area that hasn’t seen the river get this close, possibly in 100 years.

“It’s a surprise when it comes on this fast and you never know exactly where it’s going to hit,” says Mat-Su Environmental Planner Frankie Barker.

Barker says many of the property owners in both the Butte and Sutton bought homes years ago that were literally a half mile or more from the water, never suspecting the river would run their way. Many of them are now trying to move their homes as far away from the rushing waters as possible.
 

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TedtheBear said on Sunday, Aug 5 at 7:46 AM

This is pretty sad story. Homeowners are left holding a bag of water while state government offers no aid. But the problem been going on for the past 27 years, this is not a new thing. I hiked up the Butte every few years and see for myself, how much the river changed from 1985 to now. This part of the valley is a true flood plain.

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TedtheBear said on Sunday, Aug 5 at 7:48 AM

PS: When the Matsu River momentary stabilized, there will be some nitwit trying to sell land and homes and some people will be dumb enough not to learn from history and buy.

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