Yukon government issues flood watch for the Klondike River
By Caitrin Pilkington
Officials have issued a flood watch for the Klondike River near Dawson City due to melting and breaking ice.
In a release, the Yukon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) said the Klondike River is ice free from Rock Creek to the Yukon River, but several ice jams and ice sheets remain near Henderson’s Corner — located around kilometre 692 of the Klondike Highway.
An ice jam at the upper end of Henderson has caused backwater flooding and affected one home so far, said Dawson City chief administration officer Paul Robitaille, but he called the situation an “isolated incident.”
Still, according to EMO officials, there is potential for the ice to move lower at Henderson and affect additional properties.
Dawson City is located at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon rivers.
“Both rivers, we’re seeing activity,” said Robitaille. “Parts of the Klondike have broken, but the Yukon River is still holding strong in front of Dawson.”
Yukon government hydrologists are currently monitoring the region from the ground and from the skies.
A high of 18 C is expected on Monday, which will accelerate melt. When the Henderson ice jam releases, it is expected to continue clear to the Yukon River, causing a temporary rise in water levels along the way.
“People should be aware that the banks could be crested with water and they should be prepared to move in the case that there is a flood warning,” said Robitaille.
Sand and sandbags are available at C4, the Mammoth Statue across from the Commissioner’s Residence on Front Street, and the Klondike Valley Fire Department.
On Saturday, water temporarily flooded the Klondike Highway near Flat Creek, but EMO spokesperson Julia Duchesne said the issue was fixed the same day.
Still, she reminded drivers that breakup on the Klondike is dynamic and issues may recur.
“All available crews are out working an keeping the highway open and safe,” Duchesne said.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Flooding closes Alaska Highway, cuts off access to U.S.-Canada border, CBC News
Finland: Wildfires continue to burn across Lapland, Yle News
Norway: Smoke from Canadian wildfires forecast to reach Norway, The Associated Press
Russia: New NOAA report finds vast Siberian wildfires linked to Arctic warming, The Associated Press
Sweden: High risk of wildfires in many parts of Sweden, including North, Radio Sweden
United States: Wildfires in Anchorage? Climate change sparks disaster fears, The Associated Press
