We've updated the news release to correct information about the type of meeting being held in Teslin on June 13.
Today, the Government of Yukon has released completed flood hazard maps for communities in the Southern Lakes area and Carmacks. These maps provide critical flood information to help the public and all levels of government better adapt to climate change, reduce flood risk and make informed decisions. They represent the first in a series planned for all 14 flood-prone communities, as committed to in the Our Clean Future climate strategy. Developed through detailed surveying and modelling, these maps show how different flooding scenarios could impact surrounding areas.
The Southern Lakes maps cover about 150 kilometres of shoreline including the communities of Carcross, Tagish, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge. The Carmacks maps cover about 35 kilometres of shoreline, including about 26 kilometres of the Yukon River and nine kilometres of the Nordenskiold River.
Before completing the flood hazard maps, the Government of Yukon released drafts for the Southern Lakes communities and Carmacks in January 2024. This initiated a series of in-person open houses and online public engagement by the Yukon government to help ensure the flood hazard maps are accurate and reflect real conditions.
The Government of Yukon is now seeking public feedback on draft flood hazard maps for Teslin. Feedback can contribute to refinements in the content and format of the maps. Draft flood hazard maps for Teslin are now available online for public input from June 11 to July 11, 2024. They will also be presented at the upcoming public meeting scheduled for June 13 between 5 and 7 pm at the Teslin Recreation Centre.
The next flood hazard maps will be developed for Old Crow, Dawson City and the Klondike Valley, and are expected to be released in 2025.
As our environment continues to change, and the Yukon sees more frequent and severe flooding in our communities, our government continues to develop tools to prioritize the health and safety of Yukoners. These first flood hazard maps are an important step to give Yukoners and all levels of government the tools they need to make informed decisions, implement flood mitigation options and provide clarity for effective land use planning. I thank all those who took their time to provide feedback on the draft flood hazard maps for the Southern Lakes area and Carmacks.
Many Yukoners live near lakes and rivers, and flooding can have significant impacts on our homes and livelihoods. Flood mapping will help us understand better the flood risks, provide important information for our flood-response efforts and help governments and individuals plan for a more resilient future. I look forward to this important project continuing to complete maps for the remaining communities across the Yukon.
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Yukoners can access these maps online by visiting the Government of Yukon’s Flood Atlas at: flood-atlas.service.yukon.ca.
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Flood hazard maps are created by engineers and guide land use planning, development of regulations and flood mitigation measures such as floodwalls, levees and wetland restoration.
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In May 2024, the Government of Yukon announced alongside the Government of Canada an investment of $3.5 million over four years to support flood hazard mapping in the Yukon.
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Between January and February, the Government of Yukon hosted open houses in the communities of Carmacks, Tagish, Carcross, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge, where community members were able to discuss the draft flood hazard maps with engineering consultants and representatives from the department of Environment, Community Services and Energy, Mines and Resources. Thirty-two people responded to the online public survey or provided location specific comments and 72 people attended one of the five open houses. A What We Heard report for both the Southern Lakes and Carmacks studies can now be found on Yukon.ca, highlighting the feedback received during those engagements.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Jake Wilson
Environment
867-334-8390
jake.wilson@yukon.ca