Mendenhall Glacier

Scott McCutcheon demonstrates with a rescue rope on Tuesday after helping save Bob Funk, a biker who had fallen through the ice at Mendenhall Lake, a few days earlier. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
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Meet the good Samaritan behind the dramatic Mendenhall Lake rescue

Right place, right time, right equipment.

 

Bob Funk retells his story on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, of falling through thin ice while riding his bicycle on Mendenhall Lake near the face of the Mendenhall Glacier on Sunday. He was rescued by a skater who was carrying a throw rope. Funk said, “I went in and I think adrenaline took care of the first initial cold impact. I was busy working to get up on the ice and when I would it would break out from under me. I don’t know if I had enough in the tank to get myself out.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Man safe after breaking through Mendenhall Lake

‘Good citizen’ provides rescue.

 

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Glacier center starts ‘Mendenhall Minis’ program for young children

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will host a series of activities for young children this winter on the second Saturday of every month. The events… Continue reading

 

A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Glacier sends up bat signal with weekend activities

Just in time for Halloween, the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate National Bat Week at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this weekend. Youth-oriented activities and… Continue reading

A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Tourist cold but unharmed after tumble into Mendenhall Lake
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Tourist cold but unharmed after tumble into Mendenhall Lake

On their first full day in Alaska, David Hill and his family wanted to take advantage of the warm weather. The Dallas resident, his wife… Continue reading

Tourist cold but unharmed after tumble into Mendenhall Lake
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Nugget Falls is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cruise passenger dies near Mendenhall Glacier

A woman died after suffering a medical emergency on the trail to Nugget Falls near the Mendenhall Glacier on Sunday, Juneau Police Department Lt. Krag… Continue reading

Nugget Falls is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Visitors wait for the buses at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall moving toward overhaul

By 2050, the picture windows at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will depict a much different view. Scientists expect the glacier will have receded out… Continue reading

Visitors wait for the buses at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Nic Sevic, left, and Elliot Sofhauser, of Above and Beyond Alaska gather canoes and kayaks from storage at Mendenhall Lake on Thursday, July 19, 2018, after a release of water from Suicide Basin on Wednesday caused the lake to rise. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Authorities, residents brace for annual flooding

Weather authorities and residents are getting used to responding to glacial floods in the Mendenhall Valley.

Nic Sevic, left, and Elliot Sofhauser, of Above and Beyond Alaska gather canoes and kayaks from storage at Mendenhall Lake on Thursday, July 19, 2018, after a release of water from Suicide Basin on Wednesday caused the lake to rise. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
With an iceberg grounded in front of them, Kelly Mercer and her father, Fred Gerle, relax on a bench at the Mendenhall Campground on Friday, July 20, 2018, after Thursday’s flood of Mendenhall Lake. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Response to flooding goes smoothly

The waters quickly abated after the peak and almost everything was back to normal Friday morning.

With an iceberg grounded in front of them, Kelly Mercer and her father, Fred Gerle, relax on a bench at the Mendenhall Campground on Friday, July 20, 2018, after Thursday’s flood of Mendenhall Lake. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel care for victims who overturned their canoe during a guided trip on Mendenhall Lake on Friday, July 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Five passengers safe after canoe flips at glacier

As part of their honeymoon, Adam and Gianna Kersch took a canoe tour to the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday afternoon. They were part of a… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel care for victims who overturned their canoe during a guided trip on Mendenhall Lake on Friday, July 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Mendenhall Glacier as viewed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch saying Suicide Basin is now draining into Mendenhall Lake with potential flooding to begin by late Thursday afternoon. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Weather Service issues flood watch as Juneau awaits glacial outburst

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River as Suicide Basin drains into the lake.

The Mendenhall Glacier as viewed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch saying Suicide Basin is now draining into Mendenhall Lake with potential flooding to begin by late Thursday afternoon. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this screenshot from a video shared Monday by Capital City Fire/Rescue, the waters of Suicide Basin have topped the low point in the dam holding the reservoir and are beginning to flow downhill. (Screenshot)

Suicide Basin begins releasing water, but flooding risk unknown

Suicide Basin began its long-awaited release of water late Monday, but there are no signs of incipient flooding along the banks of the Mendenhall River or Mendenhall Lake.

In this screenshot from a video shared Monday by Capital City Fire/Rescue, the waters of Suicide Basin have topped the low point in the dam holding the reservoir and are beginning to flow downhill. (Screenshot)
Suicide Basin is seen on July 12, 2018 in this photograph provided by U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Jamie Pierce. (Courtesy photo)

Juneau scientists await unprecedented flood from Mendenhall Glacier’s Suicide Basin

Glacier-caused dam could be topped by water as early as Sunday.

Suicide Basin is seen on July 12, 2018 in this photograph provided by U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Jamie Pierce. (Courtesy photo)
In this August 2013 file photo, buses line up to pick up tourists at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.(Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Uber and Lyft are coming to Alaska, but they won’t be coming to Juneau’s most popular tourist destination

Each year, more than half a million people come by bus and taxi to the Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau’s most popular tourist destination. Even after Gov.… Continue reading

In this August 2013 file photo, buses line up to pick up tourists at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.(Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)