In Juneau, new flood barriers appear to be making a difference this summer.

Officials say the HESCO barriers along the Mendenhall River have largely done their job, preventing the kind of flooding seen in the past two years.

The floodwaters peaked at 16.65 feet, which is higher than in previous years. Despite the height, the barriers have held for the most part. The barriers were set to handle 18 feet. While this is the third year in a row of record-breaking flooding from the Suicide Basin, it isn’t unusual for the area. “We have been seeing glacial lake outburst floods from the basin above Mendenhall Glacier since 2011. So yes, it is common for our area,” said Nicole Ferrin with the National Weather Service in Juneau. Experts say that several recent changes in the basin help

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