A roughly 5-mile long segment of the Haines Highway near the village of Klukwan (Chilkat Indian Village) is home to two large debris fans (Klukwan and Mile 19) each of which have experienced numerous debris flows annually in recent years (Figure 1). This is one of the most expensive highways in the state of Alaska and historic debris flow activity has damaged or destroyed Native Alaskan villages and on-going activity threatens the village of Klukwan and other residents as well as the critical Haines Hwy lifeline that connects residents to Haines and Canada (Figure 2). Establishing an experimental facility in this area provides a unique opportunity to 1) respond to critical community needs related to resilient housing, 2) advance fundamental science, 3) develop workforce and training for Alaska Native students, and 4) strengthen partnerships with CIV that originated with a recent NSF CoPe project.
