HomeMy WebLinkAboutTalkeetna River Project Alaska General Design Memorandum 1975TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT
ALASKA
DESIGN MEMORANDUM
DESIGN
ALASKA DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINE ERS
FEBRUARY 1975
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ALASKA DISTRICT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 7002
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NPAEN-PR-R 28 February 1975
SUBJECT: Ta 1 keetna Ri ver Proj ect, Al aska.
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Division Engineer, North Pacific
1. Transmitted for your ~eview and approval, in accordance with ER
1110-2-1150, are the following:
a. 20 copies of the General Design Memorandum.
b. 20 copies of the Environmental Impact Statement.
c. Original and 20 copies of the Statement of Findings.
d. 5 copies of draft local cooperation agreement.
2. Due to the small scale of the project, a GDM was prepared in lieu
of a project restudy report.
3. The EIS has been fully coordinated with the State and other Federal
agencies. Their comments have been incorporated into this final EIS.
4. Recommend immediate capability of $415,000 be expressed for inclu-
sion in the Division's capability and that $16,000 be authorized and
approval granted for preparation of plans and specifications.
5. It is further recommended that action be implemented to reclassify
the status of the project from "Deferred for Restudy" to "Active." This
is a project that could be started this ~lendar year to provide "Brick
and !·lortar" type jobs as i ndi cated at th H~ Appropri ations Subcommittee
on Public Works hearing on 25 February 19 ~., ~ ~~
Sinc~.r~4). ~rs~\
/-(01 "1. A---~ !> ______ ( __ .d ... ..,-,. ) £ I-t/{ ____ _
4 Incl / CHARLES A. DEB '. US --.
as {und sep cov Colonel, Corps 0" ,Eng'neers
'ct Engineer
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TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT, ALASKA
GENERAL DESIGN MEMORANDUM
PERTINENT DATA
Authorization
The Talkeetna River Project was authorized by the Flood
Control Act of 1958, Public Law 85-500, in accordance with
the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers.
General
Dike
Location Talkeetna, Alaska
Drainage Area at Project Site
Talkeetna River 2,015 Square Miles
Susitna River 11,035 Square Miles
Purpose of Project . Bank Erosion Protection
Economic Life of Project 50 years
Benefit -Cost Ratio . . 1 .2 to 1
Length 600 feet
Nose . 25 feet
Maximum Elevation 343.5
Minimum Elevation 341.5
Average Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 feet
Top Width . 8 feet
Side Slopes 2H, 1V
PERTINENT DATA
Sheet 1 of 2
PERTINENT DATA
Core Material . . Gravel
Protection Cover Thickness Quarry Rock
Revetment
Length 1,660 feet
Side Slope 2H, lV
Average Height . 7 feet
Fi" Material . . Gravel
Protective Cover Thickness . 1.5 feet Quarry Rock
Seeded 5 lope
Length 740 feet
Side Slope 3H, lV
Average Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 feet
PERTINENT DATA
Sheet 2 of 2
Para
1. 01
1. 02
1. 03
1. 04
2.01
2.02
3.01
3.02
4.01
5.01
5.02
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TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT, ALASKA
DESIGN MEMORANDUM NO. 1
GENERAL DESIGN MEMORANDUM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PERTINENT DATA
SECTION 1 -PROJECT AUTHORIZATION
Authority
Project as Described in Project Document
Local Cooperation Specified in Project Document
Project History
SECTION 2 -INVESTIGATIONS
Preauthori zation
Postauthori zation
SECTION 3 -PUBLIC MEETINGS
Preauthorization
Postauthor i zation
SECTION 4 -LOCAL COOPERATION
Local Requirements
SECTION 5 -LOCATION OF PROJECT AND THE RIVERS
Proj ect Location
The Rivers
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
Para Page
5.03 Flood Plain Area 5-2
5.04 Erosion 5-2
SECTION 6 -PROJECT FORMULATION
6.01 Planning Concepts 6-1
6.02 Project Scope 6-1
6.03 Alternatives 6-2
6.04 Proposed Plan 6-9
SECTION 7 -BASIS FOR DESIGN
7.01 General 7-1
7.02 Hydrology 7-2
SECTION 8 -RECOMMENDED PROJECT PLAN
8.01 General 8-1
8.02 Design References and Criteria 8-1
8.03 Rock Dike 8-2
8.04 Graded and Seeded Bank 8-4
8.05 Bank Revetment 8-4
8.06 Construction Materials 8-4
SECTION 9 -DEPARTURES FROM PROJECT DOCUMENT
9.01 Departures 9-1
9.02 Reason for Departures 9-1
i i
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
Para
SECTION 10-ENVIRONMENTAL CONSI DERATIONS
10.01 General
10.02 Existing Conditions
10.03 Environmental Impacts
SECTION 11 -REAL ESTATE
11 .01 General Land Description
11.02 Land Acquisition
SECTION 12 -PROJECT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
12.01 General
12.02 Annual Cost
SECTION 13 -DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
13.01 Genera I
13.02 Proposed Schedule
SECTION 14 -COST ESTIMATES
14.01 Proposed Plan
SECTION 15 -PROJECT BENEFITS
15.01 General
15.02 Benefit Analysis
15.03 Benefit-to-Cost Comparison
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cant)
Para Page
SECTION 16 -DI SCUSSION
16.01 Genera I Comments 16-1
SECTION 17 -RECOM ENDATIONS
17.01 Recommendations 17-1
No. Follows P~
Aerial view of the confluence of t e Talkeetna and Susitna
Rivers at Talkeetna, Alaska 5-2
2 View of fascine from upstream en as it appeared in May 1951 6-3
3 Fascine as it appeared in October 1971 6-3
Alternative Structural Improvem nts 6-4
Location Map 5-1
2 Stream gages and Quarry Site 7-2
3 Project Map 8-1
PLATES
Plan
2 Plan and Sections
3 Profi I es and Deta i I
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont)
EXHIBI S
River Profi Ie
2 Fish and Wildlife Service Report
3 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Spo sorship Letter
4 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Lett r
5 Department of Transportation Le ter
SECTION 1 -PROJECT UTHORIZATION
1.01 Author ity. The Flood Control ct of 1958 (Publ ic Law 85-500)
authorized improvements for bank pr tection at Talkeetna, Alaska, as
described in Interim Report No.2 - C ok Inlet and Tributaries, and
printed in House Document No. 34, 8 th Congress, 1st Session.
1.02 Project as Described in Proje t Document. The plan of improve-
ment set forth in the project documen calls for the construction of rock
riprap bank protection along the left ank of the Talkeetna River, extend-
ing 1,500 feet downstream from the r i Iroad embankment.
1.03 Local Cooperation Specified i
document specifies that local interest
Document. The project
a. Provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements,
and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of the project,
b. Agree to hold and save the nited States free from damages
due to the construction work,
c. Agree to maintain the works after completion in accordance
with Federal regulations.
1.04 Project History. The Rivers nd Harbor Act of 1948 authorized
a study of the Cook Inlet and Tribut ries within Alaska. This study was
related to water resource improvem nts within the study area for which
the Talkeetna River and community f Talkeetna were included. The
report resulting from this Rivers and Harbor Act included a recommendation
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that a flood control project along the Talkeetna River at Talkeetna be
constructed in the interest of erosion prevention. The report was
printed as House Document No. 34, 85th Congress, 1st Session after the
Chief of Engineers submitted his report to Congress in 1953. However,
during the period of the above study and the sUbmission of that report
to the Congress, an emergency bank protection project in the form of a
fascine was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section
14 of the 191~6 Flood Control Act. The structure consi sted of timber
tied in bundles and held in place with vertical railroad ties. The Flood
Control Act of 1958 authorized the construction of the project recom-
mended at Talkeetna in the House Document mentioned above. In 1960,
the existin<;1 fascine was still functioning and the authorized project
was classified as inactive. The timber in the emergency structure has
deteriorated with time and has not been replaced and the fascine con-
sequently no longer fUnctions as an effective erosion control device.
The original sponsorship group no longer exists since Alaska became
a state. With this deteriorated fascine, local interests requested assis-
tance. ThE~ inactive authorized project was reclassified deferred for
restudy in 1971 to reanalyze existing conditions. Herein is presented
the restudy analysis.
1-2
SECTION 2 -INVESTIGATIONS
2.01 Preauthorization. Investigatio s made in preparation of the
project document included a hydrogr phic analysis and material surveys.
Office studies included various alter atives for quantities, cost estimates,
and benefit analyses.
2.02 Postauthori zation. Additional investigations made in preparation
of this report include topographic surveys, studies for a source of quarry
rock, and coordination with local interests. Office studies include hydraulic
analyses, quantity estimates, cost e timates, and a review of benefits. A
reconnanissance trip and minor mat rial laboratory tests were accomplished
for the proposed quarry site. In ad ition, cross-sections in selected
locations were taken along the Talk etna River. These studies were also
supplemented with the II Flood Plai n nformation, II Talkeetna, Alaska, report
dated June 1972 by the Alaska Distr ct, Corps of Engineers. Included
were sections taken across both the ITal keetna and Susitna Rivers, derived
Intermediate Regional Flood and Sta~dard Project Flood flows, and
backg round data.
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SECTION 3 -PUBLIC MEETINGS
3.01 Preauthorization. No formal public meetings were held prior
to authori zation of the initial
3.02 Postauthorization. he Id at Ta I keetna on
5 January 1973 to ascertain local i terest desires and to discuss various
corrective actions. Local interests desi red add itional protection from
floods and bank erosion along the alkeetna and Susitna Rivers. Methods
discussed during the meeting incl dikes, bank revetment,
and various alternative constructi n materials. Twenty-six people attended
the publ ic meeting. The proposed project was coordinated with Federal,
State, and local agencies. Inform I contacts, including workshops, with
local officials and other interested local residents indicate that the community
and the local sponsor are extremely concerned about erosion protection at
Talkeetna.
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SECTION 4 -OCAL COOPERATION
4.01 Local R_~guirements. Prior o construction, the project sponsor
will be required to enter into a written agreement agreeing to the items
of local cooperation listed in paragraph 1.03. At the time of this writing,
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is in the process of setting up a service
area that wi II be the legally consti uted vehicle with full authority and
capabi lity to perform the terms of ocal cooperation. This would then
give the borough the ability to co ply with Section 221, PL 91-611.
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SECTION 5 -LOCATION IOF PROJECT AND THE RIVERS
5.01 Project Location. The commlunity of Talkeetna, Alaska, is situ-
ated on the left bank of the Talkee+a River at its confluence with the
Susitna River (see figure 1). The Icommunity is located about 115 mi les
north of Anchorage, at mi lepost 22~ on the Alaska Rai Iroad and has a
population of about 185 people (19JO census). This unincorporated com-
munity serves as an important disrbution center to homesteaders, pros-
pectors, trappers, and hunting-fi,hing-outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Supplies are distributed from Talkleetna by boats, airplanes, train, and
trucks. Principal business estab'lshments include flying services, motels,
hotels, lodges, and trading posts. Other business enterprises include
bars, cafes, and curio shops. Talkeetna is a critical Alaska railroad bridge!
site as well as a depot. Other govkrnmenta I faci I ities include important /
FAA air-navigational facilities, a ost office that serves over 1,000 people,
road maintenance shops and facili ies, and two new schools. A paved
highway now connects Anchorage with Fairbanks and a new paved spur
connects Ta Ikeetna with the paved IhighWa y which allows easier access
to the Talkeetna Area. I
5.02 The Rivers. The Talkeetn4 River is about 80 miles in length with
a drainage area of about 2,015 sqlare miles. The Susitna River has a
length of about 200 mi les and a dr inage area of about 11,035 square miies
upstream of Ta Ikeetna. Both of t1ese 9 lacier-fed rivers are meanderi n9,
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GENER,!I,L DESIGN MEMON'ANDUM
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT
ALASKA '
LOCATION MAP
ALASKA DiSTRICT,
CORPS GF ENGINE~P.S
ANCHORAGE,ALASKA
FEBRUARY 1975
braided and subject to high runoff.
5.03 Flood Plain Area. Talkeetna is susceptible to inundation from
both the Talkeetna and the Susitna River with out-of-bank flows occurring
at flood stages of lS-year and 2S-year frequency recurrence intervals,
respectively. While the Alaska Rai Iroad embankment and bridge structure
provides partial low flow protection through volume detention, runoff
exceeding a 70-year frequency-flood would overtop the ra i I road fi II, flooding
Talkeetna from the back side. The flood plain is occupied by a railroad,
roads, streets, utilities, homes, businesses, historical structures, and
government facilities which would be damaged by a major flood.
5.04 Erosion. Flood flows causing bank erosion occur annually on
both the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. While the timber fascine has
provided partial protection along the Talkeetna River, the lower portion
of town has been under excessive attack from both river flows. Even
with emergency construction efforts by the local residents, land loss
has still exceeded 800 feet width since 1917 with an average loss of 10
feet per year along the left bank in recent years. This annual loss has
resulted in much damage to land and personal property, and has caused
numerous bui Iding relocations. With the gradual deterioration and recent
failure of portions of the fascine, the community is now in immediate
danger of a greatly accelerated erosion rate. This erosion wi" also
augment the flow attack problems along the Susitna reach.
5-2
Photo 1 . Aerial view of the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers at
Talkeetna, Alaska (Corps of Engineers Photo, July 1974.)
SECTION 6 -PROJECT FORMULATION
6.01 Planning Concepts. To insure that a project would result in
the optimum plan of improvement, meeting the desires of local interest
within restraints imposed by existing laws and regulations as well as
criteria and parameters existing to the particular site, a restudy of the
authorized-unconstructed project commenced in FY 73. This restudy
found that flooding and land erosion is continuing along the left bank of
the Talkeetna River and along the left bank of the Susitna River adjacent
to the community of Talkeetna. In addition, it was found that the existing
timber fascine, constructed as an emergency measure in 1951, was deterio-
rated. Solutions considered to alleviate the flooding and erosion situation
included both structural and nonstructural methods such that: (1) the
proposed project should confirm or modify the authorized project as indi-
cated in the project document, (2) the proposed project should be accept-
I
able to desires of local interest such that local interest would support
the project and agree to specified items of local cooperation, (3) the
project should be engineeringly feasible and have economic justification
and not significantly degrade the environment or have adverse effects
on the social structure of the area.
6.02 Project Scope. The project was scoped to be a complete within
itself project such that no additional work would be required to assure
effective and successful operation, excepting minor maintenance. In
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addition, the scale of the project wou Id provide a max imum excess of
benefits over costs where possible. The views and comments of inter-
ested agencies as well as those of local interest would be considered.
6.03 Alternatives. Within the project formu lation process, various
alternatives were studied to ascertain the most feasible project consis-
tent with sound environmental, economic, and engineering principles.
Structural and nonstructural alternatives were considered in the
evaluation to obtain a project formulation consistent with existing laws
and regulations.
1. Structural. Structural developments are considered to be
developments to reduce bank erosion and to provide barriers against bank
erosion.
Complete structural flood protection against 1 OO-year and standard
project flood for the community was considered but would require levees
around four sides of the community plus an interior drainage system.
Protection in the form of levees and interior drainage system would not
be economically justified and was not considered in further detai I. A
lesser degree of protection up to the protection afforded by the existing
rai Iroad embankment, about a 70-year frequency flood, would require
a levee along two sides of the community plus an interior drainage
system. This form of lesser flood protection is not economically justified
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and was not considered in further detai I. Protection in the form of
bank erosion was considered, and it was found that some methods could be
economically justified depending on the scope of the project and con-
struction materials utilized. Various methods and degrees of bank
protection were studied including dikes or levees, groins, bank
revetment, and soi I stabi I i zation. I n addition, various materials for
construction were considered including timber, river sand and gravels,
quarry stone, and river rocks. Timber structures were estimated on a
20-year physical life; gabions on a 40-year physical life; with sand,
gravel, river rocks and quarry stones having at least a 50-year physical
life. Annual maintenance was an additional factor. Four alternative
designs are included for structural land protection.
a. Rehabi I itate the Existing Fasci ne. The townsite of Tal keetna
is suffering from bank erosion behind the fascine because the fascine
was not maintained and thus deteriorated. This alternative would
replace the deteriorated timber logs between the steel pilings and
extend the fascine with like materials about 1,500 feet downstream. The
rehabilitated fascine would again provide protection from bank erosion
by the Talkeetna River as well as additional protection from the waters
of the Susitna River. Environmentally, this alternative is acceptable
and would provide the same protection as the proposed project. While
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Phot o 2. View of fascine from upstream e n d as it appeared in May 1951.
( Corps of Engineers Photo. )
Photo 3. Fascine as it appeared in October 19 71. (Corps of Engineers
Photo)
1204-7 5
little or no vegetation would be removed, significantly more river
habitat would be covered by this alternative than by the proposed
project. Greater quantities of construction material than in the proposed
project would also be required. The higher annual cost of this alterna-
tive produced a lower benefit-to-cost ratio than did the proposed plan
(table 1). Therefore, this alternative was not chosen.
b. Groins. This alternative would consist of a 600-foot dike,
paralleling the existing fascine, and two L-shaped groins project-
ing riverward from the left bank of the Talkeetna River past the end
of the dike. The dike and groins would be constructed by using sand
and gravel from the riverbed with quarry stone for an outer protective
shell. The dike and groins would function to redirect flows away from
the eroding bank. Deposition of material would occur in front of the
groins.
Environmentally, this alternative is acceptable. This alternative
would alter the river morphology of the Talkeetna River; however,
because of the normal fluctuating channel and flow conditions of the
Talkeetna River, no adverse environmental impact would be antici-
pated. Greater quantities of construction material than required for
the proposed project would be necessary to complete the construction
of this alternative. The higher annual cost of this alternative produced
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TABLE 1. ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS -TALKEETNA, ALASKA
AL TERNATIVES
RECOMMENDED PROJECT
DESIGN NO 2400 L.F. * 600 Ft. DIKE & 2400 L.F.* 2400 L.F.* DIKE, GRADED & SEEDED
CONSIDERATION IMPROVEMENT LOG FASCINE GROINS GAB IONS ROCK DIKE BAl.'Th REVETMENT
Project Area 80 acres 80 acres 80 acres 80 acres 80 acres
Economically
Feasible Not Rated YES YES YES YES YES
Environmentally
Acceptable YES YES YES YES YES YES
Design Life N/A 20 yrs 50 yrs 40 yrs 50 yrs 50 yrs
Construction
Costs NONE 337,000 628,000 658,000 676,000 426,000
Amortized
Costs ** N/A 29,100 39,200 43,000 42,100 26,600
Annual
Maintenance
Cost N/A 2,000 800 1,000 800 800
Annual Cost N/A 31,100 40,000 44,000 42,900 27,400
Benefits *** N/A 32,000 32,000 12,000 32,000 12,000
BIC Ratio N/A 1.03 .80 .72 .74 1.2
'k Linear Feet
5-7/8 Interest
*** Minor Variances in EDA benefits are not included.
a lower benefit-to-cost ratio than did the proposed plan (table 1) .
Therefore, this alternative was not chosen.
c. Gabions. This alternative would consi st of 2,400 feet of gabions
constructed along the left banks of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers.
The gabions would consist of wi re baskets fi lied wi th quarry rock, as it
would be costly to separate cobbles and stones from the riverbed. The
gabions would stabilize the left banks of the two rivers and would pre-
vent flows from eroding the bank.
Environmentally, this alternative is acceptable. This alternative
would alter the ri ver morphology of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers;
however, because of the normal fluctuating channel and flow conditions
of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, no adverse environmental impact
would be anticipated. The higher annual cost of this alternative pro-'
duced a lower benefit-to-cost ratio than did the proposed plan (table 1) .
Therefore, this alternative was not chosen.
d. Dike. This alternative would provide a continuous dike con-
structed along an alinement about 100 feet riverward from the existing
left bank of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. The dike would be
constructed of sand and gravel excavated from sandbars in the rivers
and would be protected by quarry stone from a designated quarry si te.
This alternative would prevent bank erosion due to the Talkeetna and
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Susitna Rivers and, depending on dike design, would provide flood
protection from floodwaters in both rivers.
This alternative would probably have the greatest impact on the
envi ronment as compared to the rest of the alternati ves due to the si ze
of the project in relation to esthetics, river morphology, and quantity
of material requi red for construction. However, thisal ternative would
provide both flood and bank erosion protection to the community of
Tal keetna which would have a beneficial impact on the commun ity.
The higher annual cost of this alternative produced a lower benefit
to-cost ratio than did the proposed plan (table 1). Therefore, this
alternative was not chosen.
2. Nonstructural. Nonstructural methods are considered to be
other procedures for reducing bank erosion and damage potential s.
These include no protective construction, relocation of the town of
Talkeetna, and zoning and building ordinances.
a. No Construction. Providing no protective construction would
result in continuing and possibly escalating bank erosion of the town-
site of Talkeetna, continuing loss of vegetation and animal habitat due
to bank erosion, and eventual loss or damage to buildings and struc-
tures (i.e., homes, motel, barn, several historical buildings, camping
area, utilities, road). By not disrupting the influences of the Talkeetna
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and Susitna Rivers on the community, these rivers would continue
their encroachment and flooding actions on the townsite. These actions
would continue to affect the water qual ity of these two rivers and even-
tually would alter their river morphology.
Environmentally, this alternative is acceptable and would eliminate
the adverse impacts associated with the proposed plan. The Talkeetna
and Susitna Rivers would be allowed to continue in their naturally
fluctuating channels within their flood plain. However, abandonment
of the project would not necessari Iy assure the return of the area to
natural conditions. Local people may institute some improvement
measures on their own. I nauguration of flood-plain zoning with flood-
proofing of existing buildings, appropriate building codes, relocations,
and other appropriate land use practices could decrease the disrupting
influences of flood and bank erosion.
b. Relocation. This alternative would be the relocation of structures
and utilities at Talkeetna that could be damaged by bank erosion and
flood ing from the Ta Ikeetna and Susitna Rivers to another location that
would have a lower probabi I ity of damage than the present location.
This alternative would have a desirable impact on the Talkeetna
and Susitna Rivers and the adjacent area as relocation would allow the
rivers to continue along their natural course. Also it would remove the
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community from an area in which the town is naturally and habitually
subjected to bank erosion and flooding from the two rivers.
The relocation process would extend over many years and would
be governed by existing regulations. While this would probably be
economically feasible, it is socially unacceptable because the people of
Talkeetna do not want to move. Furthermore, it would result in prob-
lems of compensation for land that would be zoned as nonusable and for
relocation of buildings that have not yet served their complete economic
life. In addition to these problems that would have to be solved, a more
basic problem is the fact that neither the community nor the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough have the authority necessary to implement this action.
Since this solution remains as being basically only academic and at present
not practical, no detai led studies or comparative analyses were conducted.
Examination of immediate relocation was determined uneconomical.
c. Zoning Ordinances. The zoning ordinance alternative fits into
the larger category of flood plain management. The community of
Talkeetna is not incorporated and hence does not have the power to zone.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough does not have area wide regulatory
power for flood control. However, the local citizens could apply flood plain
management principles to the land endangered by bank erosion. This
alternative would have a beneficial impact on the Talkeetna and Susitna
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Rivers because no new construction would occur in or wou Id alter the river.
This alternative would have an undesirable impact on the community
of Talkeetna by allowing continuing bank erosion and the subsequent
loss of lands, vegetation, and anima I habitat, which the proposed
plan has been designed to prevent.
6.04 Proposed Plan. The proposed plan is an erosion control structure
consisting of 600 linear feet of dike extending downstream from the rail-
road bridge forcing the Talkeetna River flows away from the bank, 740
I inear feet of grading and seeding immediately downstream from the rai 1-
road embankment, 1,660 linear feet of rock revetment along the Talkeetna
and Susitna Rivers. This plan is discussed in the following sections.
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SECTION 7 -BASIS FOR DESIGN
7.01 General.
a. Talkeetna is situated on the left bank of two rivers, at the
confluence of the Talkeetna River with the Susitna River. An Alaska
Railroad bridge spans the Talkeetna River about 1,500 feet upstream of the
Susitna River. In 1949, the Alaska Rai Iroad agency initiated a channel
improvement project upstream of the bridge, blocki ng meanders and
excavating new channels to direct the flow perpendicular to the bridge.
In 1951, the Corps of Engi neers constructed 1,000 feet of timber fasci ne
below the bridge to continue the straight channel al inement and thereby,
directed flow away from the left bank of the Talkeetna River and
the Talkeetna townsite. Presently, the channel above the railroad
bridge is much the same as before the channel improvement project with
an increasing quantity of flow approaching the bridge at an angle,
directing flow towards the fascine. The fascine has been breached in
severa I areas and has deteriorated to the extent that it is no longer
effective. Below the confluence of the Talkeetna River with the Susitna
River, a serious bank erosion problem exists at the west end of the
townsite.
b. Soi Is and Geology. The Talkeetna area geology consists of an
alluvial plain of sandy gravels. Along the river bottoms, stream flows
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have concentrated gravel and shingle rocks in small quantities up to about
4 inches in diameter. No bedrock outcrops existing in the immediate vicinity.
Drainage Areas. The Talkeetna River and the Chul itna River are
the major tributaries of the Susitna River. The Talkeetna River, which
encompasses total drainage area of 2,015 square miles, has its origin
at the Talkeetna Glacier in the Talkeetna i\10untains. The areas above
Talkeetna drained by the three rivers range from 350 feet to over 6,000
feet in elevation. All have portions of thei r higher elevations covered
by glaciers.
Locations
Talkeetna River at Mouth
Susitna River at Talkeetna
River Length
(M iles)
80
200
Drainage Area
(SM)
2,015
11,035
d. Climate. The area is characterized by moderately warm summers
and cold winters with temperature extremes ranging from +91 0 F to -480 F.
Annual precipitation averages 28.8 inches and annual snowfall 114 inches.
Rainfall is generally the heaviest in July, August, and September with
monthly precipitation amounts about equal for the rest of the year.
7.02 Hydrology.
a. Data Sources. The U. S. Geological Survey has maintained
stream gages (see figure 2) at the following locations upstream from
Talkeetna for the periods indicated below:
7-2
~--------~-
NUSt<A-SUS'"
MATA UGH sORa
~~~TL..e
. .-.-,l:~'.c," ;~. ~ 'C':"l, \
\ :~_~(~\V 'J~.~: ~ I II
11,.,,-., • "';~~-~:""J .n~-::t-: -S:---1.._~_--.j(1-___ .l-2~~~;::~=-=~=-:;~~r~"':::~~!:~~JlIwl:=====:fJ
STREAM GAG~S: AI TALKEETNA R!VER ABOVE TALKEETNA QUARRy:a4 MONTANA CREEK QUARRY
A 2 CHULITNA RIVeR NEAR TALKEETNA STREAM GAGES AND QUARRY SITE.
A:3 SUS/TNA Ri Yl:R AT GOLD CREEK FIGURE 2
I
Locations
Susitna River at Gold Creek
Chulitna River near Talkeetna
Talkeetna River above Talkeetna
Period of Record
August 1949 -Present
February 1958 -Present
June 1964 -Present
To supplement the records of the gaging stations and those of snow
surveys with more information concerning past floods, newspaper files
and hi storical documents were reviewed.
b. Past Floods. Major floods have occurred in the study area
during spring, summer, and fall seasons. River stages can rise from
normal flow to extreme flood flow in a relatively short time. The largest
known flood occurred in September 1942, resulting from 48 hours of
heavy rains in the mountains, and associated glacial melt. The Talkeetna
River rose more than 6 feet, flooding homes and businesses in Talkeetna
with 2 feet of water. In August 1971, a flood occurred (estimated to be
about the 20-year frequency event) resulting in considerable bank
erosion and flooding at the west end of the townsite.
c. Design Floods. Intermediate reg iona I and standard project flood s
for the Talkeetna River near Talkeetna and the Susitna River at Talkeetna
were developed for use in the Talkeetna Flood Plain Information Report
published in June 1972. Design flows with a 50-year recurrence
interval were developed from statistical analysis of streamflow records.
These flows a re tabu lated be low:
7--3
Flood Frequency
Standard Project
Intermediate Regional
50-Year
Talkeetna River 3usitna River
at mouth at Talkeetna
121,000 c. f. s.
97,OOOc.f.s.
84,000 c. f. s.
31 5, 000 c. f. s.
268,000 c. f. s.
243, 000 c . f. s.
d. Des ign References and Criteria. The 50-year flood in the
Talkeetna River (84,000 c.f.s.) with a Susitna River flow of 243,000
c.f.s. below the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitn<l Rivers was
used as the design criteria for the Talkeetna dike and bank improve-
ments. The 50-year Susitna River flow of 243,000 c. f. s. was used as
the design criteria for the Susitna bank revetments.
7-4
SECTION 8 -RECOMMENDED PROJECT PLAN
8.01 General. T.he recommended plan as shown in figure 3 is a com-
bination of control methods. This was determined to be the most eco-
nomical approach to the erosion problems attributable to the Talkeetna
and Susi tna River. The plan consists of a 600-foot-long dike extending
downstream of the railroad bridge for directional control of the Talkeetna
River. Since the dike will be overtopped, 740 feet of the bank along the
Talkeetna townsite will be graded and seeded for low velocity erosion
protection. Downstream of the seeded area, the bank is subject to erosion
from both the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. Joining the seeded bank
and continuing 1,660 feet downstream, riprap bank revetment is recom-
mended.
8.02 Design References and Criteria.
a. HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles Computer Program 723-02A was
used to determine water surface elevations and velocities. Mannings
IInll values used in the program are .030 for the channels and. 1 5 for
the overbank areas.
b. Revetment stone gradation and course thickness weredetermine<;l
in accordance with EM 1"0-2-1601, ETL 1110-2-120, and HDC 712-1.
Revetment thicknesses were increased to allow for ice and debris impact.
c. Scour computations were made using the formula prepared by
T. Blench and Associates, Ltd., for Alyeska Pipel ine Service Company.
8-1
I
N
.~< .. :=1 ===!I ~I ====~
I
MAIN
sus/rNA
RIVER
nf1nJ u iU U:lL.:=::::::::
NOTE: PROPOSED DISPOSAL
LOCATION IS THE AREA
8ETWE EN THE PROPOSE D
OIKE AND THE LEFT
BANK OF THE TALKEETNA
IL K E N
~======~i ~j======~i ir---~
FEET
200 0 200 400 600
J H H E----I ::::oJ
GENERAL DESIGN MEMORANDUM
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT.
ALASK A
PROJECT MAP
ALASKA DISTRICT
CORPS OF ENGI NEERS
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
FEBRUARY 1975
This formula was concurred in by the Corps of Eng ineers for Alyeska
pipeline river crossi ngs.
2/3/ 1/3 ds = (q Fbo ) x scour factor
in which
ds means depth from some standard flood elevation to the average
estimated bed in a cross section.
q = total Q/channel width IIW Il = c. f.s. per foot of width
DM means the median size by weight, in millimeters, of a bed
sample believed to be representative.
Scour factor = 1.35 on straight channels x 1.20 for unforeseens.
d. The 50-year flood in the Talkeetna River (84,000c.f.s.) with
the 50-year Susitna River flow (243,000 c.f.s.) was used as the design
criteria for the Talkeetna dike and bank improvements and the Susitna
bank revetments. Thi s is consistent with the expected life of rock
revetment type of construction. The river profiles are shown on
exhibit 1.
8.03 Rock Dike. The GOO-foot long dike averages about 5 feet high
and has a top width of 8 feet. A gravel core with armor facing at lV
on 2H side slopes is planned. Material excavated for the buried toe
wi II be used as core embankment. Excess material wi II be used as
fill for bank improvements or will be wasted in the channel adjacent
to the graded and seeded bank. The top elevation of the dike wi II
8-2
slope from elevation 343.5 at the railroad bridge to elevation 341.5
at the lower end. Overtopping wi II occur at design flow in the
Talkeetna River. Since the lower slope of the dike is greater than the
slope of the water surface profi Ie; overtopping, as the water surface
rises, will gradually proceed upstream. This will tend to reduce the
head differential across the dike and will decrease overtopping veloc-
ity. Maximum overtopping velocity was computed to be 6.5 f.p.s.
Profi les of the design floodwater surface with respect to the dike are
shown in plate 3. The channel side of the dike for the first 50 feet
below the railroad bridge is designed to withstand a computed veloc-
ity of 15.8 f.p.s. This section is protected with 42 inches of riprap.
Between stations 0+50 and 2+50, 30 inches of riprap are provided to
protect against a velocity of 12 f. p. s. From station 2+50 to the end
of the dike, 24 inches of riprap are provided for protection against
velocities of 10 f.p.s. Sections and riprap gradations are shown in
plate 2. Scour depths corresponding to velocities along the dike were
computed and sufficient rock wi II be placed at the excavated toe to
provide design armor thickness to the computed scour depths on a
1V on 2H slope. An 18-inch layer of quarry run rock will be carried
over the top and back slope of the di ke and an apron provided at the
toe of the back slope to prevent scour. Plate 2 shows dike sections
and riprap gradations.
8-3
8.04 Graded and Seeded Bank. When the dike is overtopped, veloci-
ties along the upper bank at the Talkeetna townsite will be slightly less
than 5 f.p.s. Seven hundred and forty feet of the bank will be graded
to a lV on 3H slope and will be seeded to withstand these velocities. A
seed-fertilizer-mulch mixture will be distributed on 4 inches of topsoil
(plate 2) .
8.05 Bank Revetment. Extending 1,660 feet downstream from the
graded and seeded bank, riprap revetment continues around the left
bank of the Susitna River. Average height of the bank revetment is
7 feet. The computed water velocity of 7 f. p. s. was used for riprap
design. An 1 a-inch revetment thickness is adequate to withstand this
velocity plus ice and debris impact. The toe will be buried a minimum
of 7 feet and wi II be weighted with sufficient material to provide the
design, revetment thickness to computed scour depth. Material exca-
vated for the toe burial will be used to dress the upper slope. Quarry
run revetment stone reasonably graded and up to 18 inches in diam-
eter is recommended for slope protection below the design water sur-
face elevation (see plate 3) or top of submerged banks. Banks extend-
ing above the water surface will be graded, top soiled and seeded to
vegetate bare or disturbed surfaces.
8.06 Construction Materials. Sand, gravel, topsoi I, silt, and quarry
rock are available in the area.
8-4
a. Materials at Site. Sand and gravel s from excavation for toe
riprap wi II meet major requirements. Minor add itional sand and gravel
for filter blankets and bank grading can be obtained from river bars.
Topsoi I can be acqu ired on top of the banks along the river.
b. Quarry Rock. Quarry rock is available from an Alaska High-
way Department Quarry located along the middle fork of Montana Creek
(see figure 2). The only other rock nearby is at Curry, on the Alaska
Railroad route, about 25 miles north of Talkeetna. This location was
investigated for a rock source for other projects .. It was learned that
additional quarry work at Curry would require relocating the rail-
road, the cost of which is prohibitive.
(1) Haul Road. The haul road includes 11 miles of paved high-
way south from Talkeetna to East Sunshine Lake. From the lake, an
improved road heads east by northeast 3 miles to Montana Creek.
Crossing the north fork, the improved road continues to the middle
fork of Montana Creek where it follows the creek bottom 3 miles or
more upstream to the quarry. Travel is restricted to winter operation,
usually after 15 December.
(2) Quarry Rock. The quarry rock is a medium to fine grained
quartz diorite with accessory biotite. Rock from this source will meet
the sizes required by careful blasting. Adequate rock appears to be
available, but no estimate of reserves will be forthcoming until explor-
atory test pitting or drilling is accomplished to establish the dimensions
of usable rock.
8-5
SECTION 9 -DEPARTURES FROM PROJECT DOCUMENT
9.01 Departures. The project plan as described in the project document
had rock revetted s lope protection extending 1,500 feet downstream from
the railroad bridge and constructed on the existing left bank of the
Ta I keetna River. The mai n departures in the proposed plan from the
project document are the additions of a 600-foot dike, 740 feet of grading
and seeding, and the extension of the bank protection further downstreatm
to afford protection from the Susitna River.
9.02 Reason for Departures. The reasons for departures from the
project document plan fall into categories of changed erosion conditions,
as well as additional protection desired. As the Talkeetna River has again
shifted to skewed flow pattern through the bridge, the authorized bank
revetment by itself was considered inapproppriate to meet the present con-
dition of flow pattern and desi red protection. The di ke downstream of the
rai Iroad bridge is to direct flows through the bridge opening and to prevent
direct attack by the Talkeetna River on the community. The graded and
seeded protection is to provide bank stabi lization from river overdike
flows. Extending the authorized bank revetment further downstream is
to provide the community additional erosion protection from the Susitna
River.
9-1
SECTION 10 -ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
10.01 General. The purpose of this section is to review the impact of
project construction along the left banks of the Talkeetna and Susitna
Rivers at Talkeetna, Alaska. This analysis is composed of two parts;
a review of existing conditions and resources, and a commentary on
envi ronmenta I impacts to be expected from the proposed project. Sources
of information include reports of Federal and State agencies, comments of
interested citizens, and onsite observations by Corps of Engineers per-
sonnel. A draft environmental impact statement was filed with CEQ on
9 May 1974. Exhibit 2 is the Fish and Wildlife Service report.
10.02 Existing Conditions
a. Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Talkeetna
area is not located with a designated wi Iderness area, nor have any of the
streams in the area been proposed for inclusion in the wi Id and scenic
rivers system.
b. Historical and Archeological Sites. Exami nation of the National
Register of Historic Places, as required by the National Historic Preser-
vation Act of 1966, indicates there are no officially designated archeological
or historical sites within the project area at Talkeetna. At the present time
the State recognizes prt of the Talkeetna area as the Talkeetna Historic
District. This district includes the original townsite, the Alaska Railroad
right-of-way and reserve, and the cemetery reserve. At this time, the
Talkeetna Historic District is in the process of being proposed as a Fede:~3:
10-1
Historic District to be placed on the National Register. The project
area does not involve the removal or elimination of any of these historic
sites or structures.
c. Vegetation. The vegetation of the Talkeetna area consists of
intermixed forest and muskeg. Overstory in the immediate project area
is composed primari Iy of paper birch, cottonwood, wi lIow, and alder.
Understory in the immediate project area is composed primarily of
yarrow, sorrel, fireweed, clover, horsetai I, and cow parsnip.
d. Mamma Is. Terrestrial wi Idl ife I iving in the project area would
include only sma II mamma Is such as voles and lemmings because the
close proximity of the human community has caused big game species
to avoid the area.
e. Birds. Habitat in the project area is ideal for a variety of song
birds.
f. ~ish. Major spawning runs reach the upper headwaters and
streams of both the Ta Ikeetna and Susitna Rivers. Spring, summer,
and fall seasons support heavy migrations of spawning chinook (king),
sockeye (red), coho (silver), pink (humpback), and chum (dog) salmon.
No steelhead trout are known to frequent the Talkeetna or Susitna Rivers.
Ra inbow trout, Dolly Varden, and grayl ing are resident species of the
two rivers. They begin their mass migration in early spring after winter-
ing in the Susitna River and lower end of the Talkeetna River. Whitefish
10-2
TABLE 1. Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers Fisheries Data
Spec ies
Chinook
Coho
Pink
Chum
Sockeye (spring run)
(summer run)
Ra inbow Trout
Dolly Varden
Grayling
Adult Fish Return
Mid-May -1 July
Mid-July -December
1 July -September
1 July -September
Mid-May -1 July
July 1 -September
Mid-April
Mid-April
April
Smolt Migration
May -June
May -June
March -April
March -April
May -June
May -June
May -June
March -Apri I
and burbots (ling cod family) exist in large numbers in the Talkeetna
and Susitna Rivers. However, no data are available on the migration
and/or spawning habits of these two species.
g. Rare and Endangered Species. According to the published
list, "Rare and Endangered Fish and Wildlife of the United States, II
issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service, there are no rare or endangered
wildlife or fish species known to inhabit the project area.
10.03 Environmenta I Impacts. The environmental impacts associated
with the construction of the proposed project can be categorized under
five basic categories: project construction, river morphology, quarry
excavation, water quality, and human ecology.
a. Project Construction. Identifiable impacts resu I ting from project
construction are:
10-3
1. Loss of about 2 acres of river habitat and shrub vegetation.
2. Removal of about 11,000 cubic yards of in situ material.
3. Temporary increase in water turbidity during construction
operations.
4. Temporary increase in noise during construction operations.
5. Visual impact of structural measures.
6. Provide bank stabi I ization, protection from bank erosion by
floodwaters of the Tal keetna and Susitna Rivers.
b. River Morphology. Construction activities are not anticipated
to effect erosion downstream of the project, to disrupt river currents or
flow characteristics of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers .. The proposed
project would prevent bank erosion.
c. Quarry Excavation. Project construction would necessitate
removing approximately 10,000 cubic yards of stone from a designated
quarry site. Two existing quarry sites have been located. One quarry
is located about 20 mi les north of Talkeetna at Curry. The quarry is
situated adjacent to the railroad and is owned by the Alaska Railroad.
The other quarry is located about 15 miles south of Talkeetna along
Montana Creek's middle fork. This quarry is owned by the State High-
way Department and has tentatively been selected as the source of
quarry rock. Temporary distrubance to terrestrial animals that inhabit
10-4
the surface of the quarry and adjacent areas wi II occur due to vegetation
removal, rock blasting, and quarry excavation.
d. W?ter Quality. The water quality of the Talkeetna and Susitna
Rivers would be affected by increased turbidity resulting from excava-
tion and construction activities. The increase in water turbidity of these
rivers would be temporary and is not anticipated to prove detrimental
because these rivers are naturally very turbid during the time opera-
tions are scheduled to commence, and these rivers also naturally experi-
ence extreme fluctuations in sediment concentration throughout the year.
e. Human Ecology. The proposed project wou Id have a beneficial
impact on the community of Talkeetna by providing bank erosion pro-
tection from the floodwaters of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. This
would result in reductions in property damage and loss for the com-
munity of Talkeetna. Identifiable impacts resulting on human ecology
arc:
1. Route and mode of transportation would introduce a safety
hazard as well as undesirable traffic conditions on the community of
Talkeetna.
2. Ai r pollution due to dust generated by the increased travel
of haul trucks.
10-5
SECTION 11 -REAL ESTATE
11 .01 General Land Description. The community of Talkeetna is
not incorporated and therefore has no zoning powers. Lands involved
in the project construction are under the direction of the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough which will act as the local sponsor of the project.
Lands required for construction is less than 1.5 acres. Ingress and
egress to the exisitng quarry site on Montana Creek are via an existing
road, part of which crosses private land. Easements for construction
purposes wou Id also need to be obtained.
11 .02 Land Acquisition. The Federal Government is to be provided
a II of the lands and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of
the project. The project sponsor has indicated agreement to provide
without cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rights-of-way
for construction of the project by letters of 6 December 1973 (exhibit 3)
and 4 December 1974 (exhibit 4) .
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which has assumed the respon-
sibility of local interests, will be instructed to obtain applicable inter-
ests in the lands required for the project. No problem is expected
for the borough to obtain acquisition of privately owned lands, as
these are owned by advocates for bank protection. Governmental
lands are also expected to be acqui red by the borough, as this land
would also have bank protection. The project sponsor is to comply
11-1
with PL 91-646, as appropriate, which in part provides that a land
appraisal must first be obtained and the landowner offered an amount
not less than such appraised value.
Ownership of the required lands will remain in the sponsor for
operation and maintenance. The cost of acquiring the required lands,
easements, and rights-of-way is estimated at $11,000.
11-2
SECTION 12 -PROJECT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
12.01 General. One annual inspection is required, preferably during
low flows, to examine the toe of the dike and revetment. Usually, the
optimum time is just after the spring thaw or just prior to the first snow-
fall when the ground is clear of snow and ice. Special inspections shall
be scheduled immediately after a severe flood condition has ended.
Dike and revetment quarry riprap shall be repaired promptly if rocks
are dislodged by floating debris, or if other types of failure should
occur. Erosion repairs, reseeding, refertilizing, or wetting shall be
accomplished, as necessary, to keep the graded and seeded bank grass
root structure alive and intact. Since there are no operational controls
on the project, the project wi II function by itself during flooding. Main-
tenance will be the responsibility of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
12.02 /\nnual Cost. Minimum repair and maintenance costs depend
upon schedul ing adequate inspections followed by prompt repai rs.
a. Inspections. One annual inspection during low water is essential
and the results would include a written report. One postflood inspection
is considered reasonable based on a 10-year average.
b. Maintenance and Repai rs. Repai r cost for ri prap replacement
was assumed for two impact dislocations that could occur twice within
the 50-year economic life of the project. Repair material is to be available
12-1
from riprap stockpiled for maintenance use. The seeded bank is
expected to require the annual addition of some seed, fertilizer, and
water to maintain a good root system.
c. Estimated Costs.
(1) Annua I inspection with report
(2) Annua I cost of 10-year frequency
inspection and report at $500
each event
(3) Annual cost of riprap repair costs
for 2 each $7,500 repairs at 20-year
frequency floods
(4) Annual cost, graded and seeded
bank maintenance
(5) Total estimated annual costs
12-2
$250.00
50.00
300.00
200.00
$800.00
SECTION 13 -DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
13.01 Genera I. The existing erosion problem at Talkeetna urgently
requires that construction be started at an early date. With completion
of plans and specifications by November in the fi rst fiscal year, adver-
tising and opening of bids can be accompl ished so that award can be
made by the middle of December.
13.02 Proposed Schedule. Dike and revetment construction could
be I imi ted to periods of low riverflow which normally occur between
15 August through 15 May. Excavation and grading are usually limited
to times the ground is unfrozen, commencing early in June to 30 October
when subzero temperatures are possible. Ten-year snowfall records
indicate minimal snowfall is anticipated through ~~ovember. At the lowest
riverflows in September, excavation for the riprap toe is expected to
be in several feet of water. For below water riprap fill, the placing
of riprap may have to be made concurrently with the excavation to
prevent sand from running into the excavation. A further considera-
tion is that the Montana Creek Road to the quarry, which traverses
close to 3 miles of streambed, is usable by equipment usually during
the period of December through /'vlarch when the ground is frozen.
In view of the above time sequences, the contractor may have to quarry,
haul, and stockpi Ie the riprap stone during the winter for use in later
13-1
construction of the project. An alternative method wou Id be to locate
and develop another quarry or allow the contractor to furnish approved
quarry stone. Considering the conditions observed and expressed
above, award of a contract by December with project completion within
11 months appears to be a realistic time frame. The following bar chart
illustrates a proposed schedule.
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Contract Award
Quarry Operation I--~~-I-_
Stockpiling at Site
Site Construction
Initial
River Bottom
Inasmuch as the Susitna River is considered a navigable waterway to
its confluence with the Talkeetna River it will be necessary prior to
initiation of the proposed work, to process a Department of the Army
authorization for the construction in accordance with rules and regu-
lations published as 33 CFR 209.145 "Disposal of Dredged Material in
Navigable or Ocean Waters. II
13-2
SECTION 14 -COST ESTIMATES
14.01 Proposed Plan
Work Feature
Mobilization & Demobilization 1
600' Dike:
Site Preparation 1
Toe Excavation & Backfil13,430
Toe Excavation &
Unit
Job
Job
C.Y
Unit
Price
L. S.
Subtotal
L.S.
$ 3.00
Disposal 1,440 C.Y. 2.50
Quarry Stone Riprap 4,573 C.Y. 30.00
...:-"-~""'.' .. >
(42" to 18" Thickness) (includes 50 c.y. stockpile)
.. ~.~ Subtotal
1660' Bank Revetment
Grading 1 Job L.S.
Toe Excavation &
Backfill 2,830 C.Y. 3.00
Toe Excavation & Slope
Use 3,280 C.Y. 2.50
Pit Run Riprap 4,640 C.Y. 25.00
(18" thickness) (incl udes 50 c.y. stockpile)
Subtotal
740' Grade and Seed Bank
Grading 1 Job L.S.
4" Topsoil & Seed 19,600 S.F. 0.25
Subtotal
400' 1 Lane Access Road with Turnourts
Clearing 3 Acres 1,500.00
12' Top Width, Strip &
Gravel
Contingencies (10%)
S&A
Plans and Specifications
Federal Cost
Non-Federal Cost
2,400 L.S. 6.00
Subtotal
Subtotal for Work Features
Estimated Contract Amount
Rounded
Lands, Easements, Rights-of-Way, etc. (Project Sponsor)
Total Project Cost
14-1
Amount
$30,000
30,000
2,000
10,300
3,600
137,200
153,100
1,500
8,500
8,200
116,000
134,200
1,200
4,900
6,100
4,500
14,400
18,900
342,300
34,200
376,500
22,800
~OOO
415,300
415,000
11,000
$426,000
SECTION 15 -PROJECT BENEFITS
15.01 General. The community of Talkeetna, Alaska, population of
about 185, is located at the mouth of the Talkeetna River at its con-
fluence with the Susitna River. The general economy of Talkeetna is
based on tourism and its function as a supply center. With the completion
of the paved road between Anchorage and Fai rbanks, and a new paved
spur road into Talkeetna, the historic community is now more accessible
and is more frequently visited.
15.02 Benefit Analysis. The benefits attributed to the proposed
project are mainly for erosion protection to the community, protection
to the railroad bridge, land stabilization, and area redevelopment benefits.
Benefits are based on a 50-year economic project life and 5-7/8 percent
interest.
a. Erosion Protection.
(1) The prevention of loss of land due to erosion from the Talkeetna
and Susitna Rivers is taken as project benefits. More than 30 acres of
land, which is owned by the Federal Government, the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough, and private parties, could be lost due to erosion, if protection
is not supplied. In past years, the fascine has protected the community
from erosion along the Talkeetna River with the Susitna having an
average annua I erosion rate of about 10 feet.
15-1
Now with the imminent loss of the fascine, erosion can continue
at an unchecked rate and erode the major portion of the community.
About 30 acres of land, valued at $4,000 per acre, is currently in
immediate danger. Benefit accruing from abatement of loss of land by
. erosion are calculated as 30 acres times $4,000 per acre times 0.06234
(CRF, 50, 5-7/8 percent) which is $7,500 per year.
(2) Improvements that have been made which will be lost to this
present unchecked erosion include private homes, historical build-
ings, a maintenance shop, a recreational park, a resort complex,
roads, and utilities. Relocation was considered for all structures that
are in danger of being lost to erosion. Cost for relocating relocatable
structures was a mi nimum of $2,000 per structure for six units and
$4,000 minimum for eight units. Other units either had a minimum
moving expense at a cost higher than the units' market value or were
constructed so as not to be relocatable. As these structures are in
immediate threat of loss, their market value has not been discounted
in the erosion analysis. Costs derived in relocating structures were
estimated at six units times $2, OOO/unit plus eight units times $4,000/
unit for $44,000. Then, this $44,000 times 0.06234 (CRF, 50, 5-7/8
percent) yielded $2,700 annua I expenses. Other structures, roads,
and utilities that could not be relocated amounted to a market value
of about $250,000. Annual costs were estimated as $250,000 times
15-2
0.06234 = $lS, 600. Structural losses prevented are claimed as project
benefits and amount to $2,700 plus $lS, 600 = $18,300 annually. Total
erosion protection benefits are $18,300 plus $7,SOO = $2S,800 annually.
In addition, historical buildings that are lost can never be replaced at
any cost.
b. Protection to Railroad Br~dge. The proposed dike immedi-
ately downstream of the rai Iroad bridge wi II channel flows downstream,
alleviating eddy currents and subsequent scour of the rai Iroad embank-
ment. In add ition, the di ke would save the current annual expenditures
of maintaining channel alinement through the railroad bridge (exhibit S).
These benefits are estimated at $5,000 annually.
c. AR Benefits. Talkeetna is in an area designated by the
Economic Development Administration as being eligible for aids and
grants. A Federal project in the vicinity of Talkeetna, costing $426,000
would have AR benefits which are derived as the estimated contract
amount times 50 percent expended for labor of which 10 percent could
be local persons who would be otherwise unemployed. Therefore,
annual benefits are $376,SOO times O.SO times 0.10 times (CRF, SO,
S-7/8) 0.06234 which yields about $1,200 annually.
d. Benefit Summary. Annual benefits from the Talkeetna project
are accumulated by category and are presented in the following tabulation:
lS-3
Item Amount
Erosion Protection $25,800
Railroad Bridge Protection 5,000
Area Redevelopment 1,200
Tota I Annua I Benefits $32,000
15.03 Benefit-to-Cost Comparison. The annual cost is based on a
50-year economic life at 5-7/8 percent interest. Annual benefits from
15.02 are $32,000.
a. Annual Cost
Federa I Cost
Interest and Amortization ($415,000 x .06234) $25,900
Non-Federa I Cost
Maintenance 800
Interest and Amortization ($11 ,000 x .06234) 700
Tota I $27,400
b. BIC Ratio. The total annual benefits evaluated at $32,000
compared with the total annua I charge of $27,400 yields a benefit-to-
cost ratio of 1.2 to 1 which indicates that the improvement is economi-
cally justified.
15-4
SECTION 16 -DISCUSSION
16.01 Genera I Comments. The authorized-unconstructed project
for the community of Talkeetna consisted of 1,500 feet of rock riprap
bank protection along the left bank of the Talkeetna River, as described
in House Document No. 34, 85th Congress, 1 st Session. The authorized
project was classified as inactive since an existing emergency bank
protection project had been previously constructed and was preventing
erosion due to the Talkeetna River flows. The emergency bank protec-
tion project, constructed in 1951 under Section 14 of the 1946 Flood
Control Act, consisted of a timber and brush fascine to direct high
velocity Talkeetna River flows away from the community. The timber
fascine has since deteriorated and does not provide the desired pro-
tection. A publ ic meeting was held on 5 January 1973 at Talkeetna
to ascertain the view of local interests. Local interests have requested
improvements to alleviate their flood and erosion problems. In the
reanalysis of the authorized project, engineering and economic studies
were made as well as an environmental assessment for a project. To
provide protection from the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, complete
flood control protection for the whole community of Talkeetna would
require a structure around the community plus an interior drainage
system. Various methods and scope of projects were studied in pro-
viding protection for the community. It was found that total flood control
16-1
protection could not be economically justified. It was found that flood
protection would need to be limited to bank erosion protection similar
to that described in the authorizing project document.
Bank protection can be provided which would alleviate the continu-
ing bank erosion. The proposed plan consists of a 600-foot dike, 740
feet of graded and seeded bank, and 1,660 feet of bank revetment. The
top of the bank protection would be the same as the existing elevations
of the left embankments.
To raise the height of bank protection higher than the existing
bank elevation to provide a levee in effect and, hence, provide minor
flood control protection would require an interior drainage system to
prevent entrapped interior surface runoff from ponding behind the levee
and causing additional damage. The elevation of the lowest pOint on the
left embankment of the Ta Ikeetna River corresponds to about the water
surface elevation of a lS-year-frequency flood on the Talkeetna. For a
larger flood event, floodflows would not erode the bank but would overtop
the bank revetment. No significant damage is expected on the revet-
ment since it is designed for overtopping.
To channel flow away from the Talkeetna community, a di ke was
needed. With a dike, velocities of flow were found to be of such a
magnitude that a graded and seeded section would protect portions
16-2
of the bank in I ieu of rock revetment along a 740-foot length of the
Talkeetna. Accordingly, a graded and seeded section was incorporated
into the project. As the reanalysis of the project continued, additional
protection was added and it was found economically feasible to extend
the project scope to include bank protection along the Susitna River.
Workshops were held with local interest groups, and they support an
erosion control project of this scope based on the economic justifications
that accrue from this project. The benefit cost ratio for a project at
Talkeetna is 1.2 to 1.
16-3
SECTION 17 -RECOMMENDATIONS
17.01 Recommendations. It is recommended that the authorized
unconstructed project at Talkeetna, Alaska, be modified to provide for
the construction of the Talkeetna Project, herein described, at a
Federal cost of $415,000and subject to the conditions of local coopera-
tion previously discussed. It is further recommended that this DM be
approved and that preparation of plans and specifications be authori zed
at a cost of $16,000.
17-1
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
N 10,500
N 10,250
N 9,750
N 9,500
\1\
\ ~
U
N 9,250
"
\
o /8.
(J)
w'
SEE NOSE DETAIL
PLATE 3
DETERIORATED
FASCI NE
lm LEFT
~
o
10
N m ",I
TURNAROUND
TURNOUT
SINGLE LANE
ACCESS ROAD
N 10,500
N 10,000
N 9,750
N 9,500
100'
:
t
400' 400' lOa' ItOO' -----SCALE IN FEET
VICINITY MAP
NOTES
I ~~~G~N6~~ ~~O~O~N~~~~o6:N~E~O~6~6.0F TRACK AT ARR f11LE ros~
345.68 FT. ABOVE
PREPARED .~J
U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT. ALASKA
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
",,,,CHOR..,,")' AI-ASiKA
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT ALASKA
TALKEETNA, ALASKA I
DIKE AND BANK IMPROVEMENTS
PLAN
L
PLATE
(
\
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
N 9,000
\
N 8 750
N 8,500
N 8,250
N 8,000
<J>
~\ -I r-~ ~
':>l
<.
f'\
':>l
~ LEFT BANK
lJJsj
1660' REVETMENT
~I '" W
o o o en
w
SINGLE LANE
ACCESS ROAD
JOINS PLATE I
\
CONTOUR INTERVAL 5'
0
0 '0' 0' .0' 0 100 -... I en SCALE 'N fEET
W
~O'
I
o
10
C\I en
w
\
0
10
C\I ,,;
W
o o
10 en
w
TALKEETNA TOWN SITE
N 9,000
N 8,750
N 8,500
N 8,250
\
\
N 8,000
\
~\
GRADE, TOPSOIL AND SEED
DISTURBED SURFACES
WHERE W.S. OVERTOPS BANK. EXTEND
STONE TO TOP OF BANK
I/. 3-W.S.~------~~L..,i!<
RIVER
BED
'.5
'1/
85' ,:
NOTES
SEE NonS ON PLATE I
U. S. ARMY
I4'NIMUM DESIGN GRADIATIQHS ARE SHOIoiN UHDEG'
[HE SECTIONS ACTUAL OUARRY OPERATION MAY
REOUIRE REVISIOH
THICKEN RFVET~ENT SLOPE RIPRAP TO 48 INCHES
FOR FULL SIX FOOT LENGTH AT DOWNSTREAM END.
TERRACE BANKS ARE SAND & GRAVEL OVERLAIN BY
A SILT SURFACE. FiElD UPlORATliJN WILL BE
CllNDUCTED PRI()R TO PLANS & SPECS.
ACCqS ROAD TO HAVE 6" GRADED GRAVEL
SlJRF~CE uVER MINIMUM 12" GRAVEL EITHER
DISflNG OR FILL SEED DISTURBED TOPSOil
SURFACE AT SIDES OF ROADWAY. PROVISIONS FOR
DRAI~AGE TO BE SHOWN ON PLANS AND
SPECIFIUTIONS
LEFT BANK STA 7+40 TO STA 24 +00
REVETMENT
NTS
.5' QUARRY RUN ROCK
BELOW)
STA 0+00 TO 0+50 ARMml STONE t:42" d= II' T=)9'
WI5 232 TO 549* 015 1.401 TO I.B5'
W50 741 TO 109S_ 050 2.03' TO 2.32'
WIO·O 14B2 TO 3704_ 0100 2.5B' TO 3.50'
STA 0+ 50 TO 2+50 ARMOR STONE
W'5 B4 TO 200* 0'5
W50 270 TO 400_ 0 50
W'OO 540 TO 1350'" 0 10 0
t=30': d.:9', T:15'
96' TO
1.47' TO
I. B4' TO
U2'
1.66'
2.50'
DIKE
~
SEEDED
"' "' EXISTING ~
TOE ELEV . .L.---'_~"~
1.5'
STA 2+50 TO 6+25 ARMOR STONE ,,=24" d=B' T,= 13'
W'5 43 TO 102.. 0 15 .37 TO 1.05
W50 13B TO 205. 050 1.15' TO 1.32'
WIOO 276 TO 691:11= 0100 ) 4B' TO 2.00'
4" TOPSQI LOVER
NON ORGANIC SOILS
LEFT BANK STA 0 +00 TO STA 7+40
SEEDED SLOPE
NTS
-+ -'--,
U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT. ALASKA
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT, ALASK A
TALKEETNA. ALASKA
OIKE AND BANK IMPROVEMENTS
PLAN AND SEcn NS
\
DESIGN MEMORANDUM NO. , PLATE 2
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
( -------------
BURIED TOE (SEE SECTION, PLATE Z)
DIKE
NOSE DETAIL
NO SCALE
SUSITNA RIVER 50 YEAR FLOOD
Q = 243,000 cis
PROFILE
100",,;;' ~~==~'O~O' __ ~2OO'
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEE T
5' 5' 10'
VERTICAL SCALE IN FEET TALKEETNA RIVER
50 YR. FLOOD PROFILE
Q = 84,000 cfs
340
U S ARMY
NOTES
DI~E GROUND PROFILE, TO? OF LEFT BANK AND TOE OF LEFT BANK
DATA WERE TAKEN FROM NOVEMBER 1972 SURVEY, AND SHOULD BE USED
AS APPROXIMATE ELEVATIONS. DIKE GROUND PROFiLE AND TOE OF
LEFT BANK ELEVATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE QUE TO DEPOSITION
OR SCOUR.
2 SEE PLATE 2 fOR TYPICAL SECTIONS
3. SEE PLATE) & 2 FOR ALIGNMENTS
U.S, ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, ALASKA
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT, ALASKA
TALKEETNA,ALA3KA
DESIGN MEMORANDUM NO, I PLATE 3
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
EXHIBITS
River Profile
Fish and Wildlife Service Report·
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Sponsorship
Letter
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Letter
Department of Transportation Letter
345
34
... ... ... 335 ...
~
:> ... 330 ..J ...
325
340
... ... ... ...
!:
z 330
0
~
C > ...
..J ...
320
l
EXISTING RAILS OF FASCINE \
W.S. JUNE 20, 1973 , 336.2
3500 3600 3700 3600 3900 4000 4100 4200 4300 4400 4500 4600 4700 4600 4900 5000 5100 5200 5300
HOR I ZONTAL DISTANCE I N FEET
CROSS SECT ION AT 1750
TALKEETNA RIVER
zoo'
~"~O~RI~ZO~N~TA~L~S~C~<L~E~'N~FE~E~T=
100' 0' IDO'
5' 0' 5' 10'
.... ERTICAL SCALE IN FEET
APPROX. TOP OF LEFT BANK
WATER SURFACE PROFI LE-
STA.O+OO
EL.343
------BEGIN PROJEcr
-------------~_ ____ -APPROX :-./\
."",----., -GROU N D __________ " \
""""'. '" 0' ''1'\ ''------/' ~ I ~ """" ;~\1_t%_:'_B_:_N_K---'1 \
P . -.---1660' REVETMENT ; I ~
_/ ----------: ~~/
---iT~ .. i!
I --T---~-----r----~-----------~~~~----j I
---------THALWEG THALWEG
SUSITNA RIVER b TALKEETNA RIVER
~ I
SUSITNA RIVER FLOOD CRITICAL·----------~H-I ... ·-TALKEETNA RIVER FLor CRITICAL
~ BRIDGE
2525
I
1200 1400 1600 1600 2 0 2200 2400 2600
7000 8000 9000
HORI ZONTAL CHANNEL DISTANCE IN FEET
SUSITNA RIVER 50YR. FLOOD PROFILE
0·243,000
100' O' zoo' 400'
.. HORO=~ll\'.!:ON~Ti;;AL"";'SC"'A~LE~,N,...,FE".E.-'T----j
VERTICAL SCALE IN FEET
10000
TALKEETNA RIVER
50 YR. FLOOD PROFILE
Q. 64,000 cis
350
340
~~ 0 T E S
BANK IMPRovEMENT PROF I LES ARE NOT TO SCALE DLJE TO CKAI~NEL
CURvATURE.
RAILROAD-BRIDGE
ABUTMENT a EMBANKMENT
330
320
TALKEETNA RIVER PROJECT, ALASKA
TALKEETNA, ALASKA
RIVER PROFILE
EXHIBIT I
1444-75
r' .... , . -, -
BUREAU OF' SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
Arc2 Office
813 P Strect
Ar.chcY:1 ,-c, ,'lr-s1-;:: 99501
Cobn-:-l ri:a:-lcs A. Debelius
lli.;tl'ict r:l.=:incor
\L' 5];.:1 District Corps of En~incers
P.\I. Eox 7002
Anchor::!;c, Alaska 99510
NOV 2 0 1974
Co: T::d~~r.ctn" :-rnsiOD (pnty('1
, f' _,
r,efcrence is r,i,~cle to your letter of l:ovcr.ber 1, 1974, rC0,ucstinr our
co~c1.ents conccrnin:.: fish <'.r;d -.:ildli.cc resources ;lssoci"tetl Hiti1 t;le
rcfcrcncc~ ~rcject.
re:,ort tmdIJr Sec. 2
401 ~s 2~cnded: 16
TLis is 0111' o~Fici(ll Fi~:' ;-:r:d "ildli~c Service
of the Fish and ':i1dlife Coorc.1in'1tion Act (48 Stat.
USC 661 8t 5C~.).
-,'e a,:-,rce l'!ith the analysis of fiS~l r1T1d ,dldli:fe resources in the
il;"cdi:,tC' :'TOjcct ?fCa as ~'rcscntcJ in the c'rn5t EnviToTl1 18ntnl I":'8.ct
Statement and anticipate no adverse effects uron those resources.
' . .'0 8YC concerned, hOl'lever, as :JTcviously ex~resscd ill our COl'll'lents on
the ,~ra;-t Environmental b~-~ct St;.ttcr"cnt, about :1otenti21 Cluverse effects
("f f'):='~'i1si(\n of the borrol, site <.t ;.ont<::'l1<l CreeL U:l():l aesthetic, recre-
ational 2nd rishcry V8lues.
-.,-.... 1C\"-... n-,. ... r,r. ·""·r... .. '~r~ .. 1, t~~,l
;: .1 ~ .:: . c~ : t 1 ,:~ " cut i 1 i : (.~ :.~ i •. ':") T f<. ':
;"','1'1,':1. 'J is' ~, ..... :::~',
_'" : '('mt,,);,. C,',.:cL S-lto:', lie
., ..... ' .. t 1 ',C ~ :~\ 1~ ; ~; 10 t .i ;"~ 1. .~ ~ 1 ~'~' : ... :-:: C' ~-~ 2 C t 5 0 :f
t!.:lt the!._ loc;ltio~ l:r ::1i'ninatcd
....... ~.' r
T .. :"· l' ~"Cll.~ f~r-:r th-:: C:~~""::"'l't:~~Li.t:· '~'l co "'·':.'T".t C:'~ t.l~ :'rr-ject. :'lc~.sc l~:Jcr us
i~r(~ c~ o~ its ~rc~rcss.
I Area Director
J
V
E.XHIBIT 2
Matallllska· Susitna BOI'ou4h, ·Inc.
BOX B. PALMER, ALASKA 99645 • PHONE 745-3246
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
Colonel Amos C. Mathews
Alaska District Enqineer
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
P. O. Box 7002
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
Dear Colonel Mathews:
December 6, 1973
Re: Flood Protection at Talkeetna
As a result of the appearance of Mr. Parnell of your agency
at a Borough meeting on November 20, 1973, the Borough Assembly has
adopted a resolution agreeing to maintain flood and erosion control
structures proposed to be constructed by the Corps of Engineers at
Talkeetna. Two copies of our Resolution No. 73-119 are enclosed.
At the time Mr. Parnell appeared before the Assembly, he
explained that repair to the existinq fascines would give no permanent
solution to the problem found at the rivers and indicated that prelim-
inary work had been done on a more permanent structure but that, before
the Corps could proceed further, the Corps would need a current resolution
of the Assembly. After discussion on the matter, the Assembly did adopt
a resolution on December 4, 1973.
We assume this will give the Corps the information it needs
to proceed on the above project.
Yours truly,
... ' /1 k~, ~->V" / / .
Borough Clerk
Encs. (2)
EXHIBIi 3
I-IATAtIUSKA-SUSlTIlA BOROUGII
RESOLUTIOlj SERIAL 110. 73-119
A RESOLUTIOtj OF TilE ltATAIIUSKA-SUSInjA OOROIJGII AGREEING TO tlAltlTAIN FLOOD AND
EROSIO!I cornRoL STRUCTURES AT TALKEETlIA. ALASKA.
WHEREAS, the United States Corps of Engineers has determined that It
is feasible to construct flood and erosion control structures at Talkeetna,
Alaska; and
ImEREAS, the United States Corps of Engi neel"S requi res a corrmi tment
of local cooperation as a prerequisite to undertaking projects of this nature;
and
11HEREAS, the [lroject is necessary for the preservation of parks and
rccreatlon facilitics at Tal~eetna, Alaska;
NOli THEREFORE, IlE IT RESOLVED by the Assembly of the Matanuska-Susftna
Uorou9i1 th.lt, ill coanpction \'Ii til t1lis proje:t, the Borough shall:
1. Prcvid~, l:iti,Gut cost to the U~itcd States, all necessary lands, C<lSO"""ts,
and rights of way requircd for construction and subsequent maintenance of
the nroject, including suitable borrol1, Quarry or snoil disposal areas with
any neces sary retai ni rig di kes, bulkheads, and embankments therefor.
2. Accomollsh, without cost to the United States, alterations and relocations
as required of any and all utility facilities.
3. Hold and save the United States free from damages that may resul t from con-
struction and maintenance of the project.
4. Maintain and operate the project after completion ~,;thout cost to the
United States In accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary
of the Anny.
5. Assume full res[lonslhllity for all project costs In excess of statutory
Federal cost limitations.
6. Contribute, in cash, the local share of rroject construction cost, deter-
mined In accordance with existing policies for regularly authorized
projects, for projcct costs assigned to project features other than flood
control or where'special local benefits will accrue.
7. Prevent further encroachments 11hich might Interfere with proper functioning
of the project for flood control.
PASSED AlID APPROVED by the Assembly of the r1atanuska-Susitna Borough
this ;j i~~ day of ~'~ ~-<'---"-'L d.v./ • 1973.
~) 2;t.~~.---,---~. Larson ---~--
(Jorough Mayor
ATTEST:
C·
. ;:;-{(.(~71/4;-~
Evelyn T pson 7
Borough lerk (SEAL)
Matanllska· Stlsltna BOI'ou4h, Inc.
BOX B, PALMER, ALAS KA 99645 • PHON E 745-3246
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Colonel Charles A. Debelius
District Engineer
United States Army Corps of Engineers
P. O. Box 7002
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
December 4, 1974
Subject: Talkeetna Water Erosion And Flood Control Service Area
Dear Colonel Debelius:
Enclosed is a certified copy of Ordinance No. 74-50 which was enacted by
the Bo'rough Assembly December 3, 1974.
This service area provides the legal mechanism whereby the owners of
benefiting property may tax themselves so that the Borough can meet
its local government obligations for participating in the Talkeetna
Water Erosion Control project.
WMH/jis
Enclosure
•
'.
~2Z1Y~~
Wes ;:.0{ Howe
Borough Manager
EXHI8IY ,~
MATAflUS/:A-SUSITrlA BOROUGH
1 ORDlfu\I:CE SEr.lfll NO. 74-50
!).ULJJ: '_1 U~.'-·~lh •. ,lot ..
1\1"\.'01
Spon~ol cd ~ ~Ior •
t': {\~~!~''''r~ n~ T"F ~~~~"nl y nr TIl< 1'~n'!I1~",\-~II~:T>'~ r-nnnllr;u rQM11l"HlNr.
S[;;\'l~r ,.,--;, '::'./~ :,.,' ~:~r1~:.' ~~~·~:-::CT. rl"'~ 1':::: r:'rT'0~l ,""'-r~(~Vl~l:;.; l"t£~
[ROSIO:, M;D FLOOD cer'TROL, At/O PROVIOlliG ~OR lHE !\m\lNI~lRATl\JN 01 WAIER lRoslON
!'11O FLCOD COiITfWL.
area:
WHEREAS" the owners of property within the following described
Point of beginning being the east-west center section line where the
A1as~a Railroad intersects the east bank of the Susitna River in Sec.
36, T2G1l. R5!1. S.r1.; thence fol101'lin9 the I,est side of the Alaska
Railroad right-of-Hay in a northerly direction to a point I,there the
Alaska Railroad intersects the south bank of the Talkeetna River;
thence in a generally southerly d'rection to the point of confluence
of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers; thence generally south along
the east bank of the Susitna River to the point of beginning: all
situated I'lithin T2611. R51'I, 5.1'1.
petitioned the Borough Assembly to establish a service area to provide water
erosion and flood control; and
.IHEREflS. the Borough Assemo1y held public hearings on the
establishment of a service area as requested; and
WHEREAS, ~ proposition was placed on the ballot at the 1974
Dorough g:'1cra1 election to be voted on ~y the residents of the proposed servlc!!
area; and
~rnEREflS, the proposition to establish the service area was passed
by a vote of 27 in favor and 3 opposed;
tlOl'1 TlJEIl.HORE. BE IT OROI\INEO:
Section 1. Classification, This ordinance is of a permanent
nature and shall become a part of the Ilorough Code.
Section 2. Scnri1bi1ity. If any provision of this ordinance
or application thel'eof to any person or circu,"stance is held Invalid. the
remainder of this ordin~nce shall not 'be affected thereby.
Seclion 3. Servic!,~'cil [sj:E.!>lished·. There is hereby establish-
ed '-Iatanusl:a-Susitna [)orough Service flrea t1o.y. Ta1keelna ~Iater erOSion and
flood cantrol. to provide water erosion and flood control within its boundarle~.
Section 4 • .Jl~~. ThCl boundaries of the Mat~nuska-SusitnJ
Ilo r(lu!)h Servicc f"'ciJ ':0. 5. T,lli:eetna Wolter el'o.ioll and flood control, ~re
hl'r\:hy est;",1i~,h("d JS ~bovc dt'~crlbcd.
,
II
.Il L'
.:i
"'I
, ! ,
"i
!~
" . ,
Section 5. I\dministration. Matanuska-Su,sitM Borough Service
Area 110.1, TaHcetna water erosion and flood control, shall be administered
1n accordJnCe with Section 2.60.050 of the Borough Code. ,
Secilon 6. Effective DJte. This ordinance shall become effect I -I
ive upon its adoplion by the Borough Assembly and signature of the Mayor. I
Introductlon: ____________ l
I
First Reading: ___________ _
Public Hearing: __________ _
, ,
i
!
ADOPTED by the Assembly of the Matanuska-Susitna ~orough, Alaska,
this ____ day of _______ " ____ t 1974.
AnEST:
Evelyn Ihompson
Corough Cl~,.1;
(SEAL)
ROnald L. Larson
Borough ~'ayor
, ,
I
1 I
.!
\.
, 'J
n [[' ,Id: T ,', r l'T [J r 1~: ;',:: S :' fP: l!. T I 0 I:
FELJLl!flL IIIIIL",-,!d.l ;,I,r.~II'!I', Illi\'II(H~
"rHL "I.I\~;I\I\ Hf,11..1l0AIJ
I'. o. I,ax ·,·;'111
ANCH~II"Gl:, AL"~,I;" urnOl
Colonel A. C. ~bLhch's
District EI1(',.inccr
Al;1skil District, Corps of
Engi.neers
1>.0. Bo": 7002
Anc!101-<lge, Al<lska 99501
I have your letter of ,\Ul'.u::t 1.7.
August 2 li, J.970
NPAEN-Plt-R
!listo)" ical.l Y I the TalkceLn:1 H.iver h:1S bl.!ell ;1 continued sou,~e of
tl"oulle to Lilc [:l";IC\.~ ~\I1J hl."id~',e ;H ·j';l1kcLll<l.· i'cnn:10cmt contro;'
of ;;:IC ch:1.n:l(.:J~> IIp!~trc,'!lI is not p(ls~~:i.bl.t! ',.'ith the ('::tcnsi\<~ br.:lid-
inr, anu [l:1.t gl"d<1ient of this stl·C.:l,iI as it :tpproaches its con-
fluence \·]ith the Su:;itna River.
Frequent ch:1l1ncl ':ode lIp~trc;I:!1 [r0:11 our hridge somel'llIat allevia,t.:::s
t.he prohleIT!, but marc i::lporto.nt, controlled alignment of the river
belCH" us, tendin~ to provic(! clire:ct flo' .. ' perpendicular to our
center line, is desired. This has been provided by the 10(; f.::sd.ne
previously il~st.111ed, and rcpl~cemcnt.by some flood,control structure
accomplishinG this is he~1rtily recom:nen(led.
Very ,truly yours,
,1 'r-')
./ .... <',..., '1 (. C-'-..../ I/),. &. -' " . -vt __ -"--r.:-i......:..J :-.r/ -. -_..... -/1' (~ .''V '
ohn E. l'lanley
H;}n<lger
EXHIBIT G