6 Foot Deep Landslide At Mile 187 Richardson, South Of Gulkana Hatchery, Blocks Highway

It Was The Beavers!

Fairbanks Sportsmen Headed To Chitina & Valdez Stalled By 500 Foot Wide, 6 Foot Deep Landslide Near Paxson Lake 

The Gulkana Hatchery access bridge. (File Photo, Country Journal) 

Drivers were delayed at Mile 187 on the Richardson after a huge landslide blocked the highway on Thursday afternoon, July 1st. 

DOT said the slide happened at around 2 pm north of Paxson Lake and south of the Gulkana Hatchery.

 
According to a DOT spokesman, Dannielle Tessen, the slide probably was due to a beaver dam that washed out. The road was impassable at first, but DOT said two loaders removed debris, and it was opened again to one lane of traffic by 4 pm. 

Beaver house farther up the Richardson toward Delta Junction. (File Photo, Country Journal)