Suicide Basin Flood Fix Under Fire

Juneau residents are demanding a permanent fix for deadly floods from Suicide Basin, frustrated by costly temporary walls that only delay the inevitable. Led by survivor Debbie Penrose Fischer, locals push for a tunnel—called a “lake tap”—to drain the basin at its source. Though the Army Corps initially backed this solution, they later pivoted to short-term fixes, sparking backlash. The tunnel’s original price tag of $600 million to $1 billion has been a major roadblock, until mining expert Brian Erickson proposed a radical, cheaper method using “drill and blast” techniques, slashing costs to $220–$323 million. His plan has energized officials, including Senator Lisa Murkowski, who’s now exploring public-private partnerships. The Army Corps is reviewing Erickson’s approach and even plans a site visit to a local mine. While the city wants speed and savings, the final decision rests with federal agencies as they weigh long-term safety against immediate budget and logistical hurdles.

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