3000 Tons of Rock Headed for Talkeetna

On Tuesday, September 19, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough received quotes for roughly 3,000 tons of riprap, large rocks used to protect riverbanks and shorelines against moving water. The material is to be stockpiled in anticipation of repairs to the Talkeetna revetment at the end of Main Street. Western Construction will commence hauling operations on Friday, September 22; the Borough estimates it wIll take ten days, with approximately eight trucks daily. On Wednesday, September 20, the Borough received quotes to conduct revetment emergency repair measures. This work will be coordinated with the delivery of riprap or scheduled to commence no later than October 3, 2023. Emergency repairs should be complete by mid-October.

These efforts stem from river flooding in Talkeetna between August 27 and September 5, 2023, which obliterated roughly 350 feet of revetment, threatening critical infrastructure, including businesses, utilities, and historic properties. Due to flooding damage, the riverbank remains susceptible to erosion even under low flow conditions. On September 9-10, the Mat-Su Borough purchased and delivered 900 tons of riprap and stockpiled it near the damaged Talkeetna revetment.