The Government of Yukon Water Resources Branch has released the March Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast.
The Porcupine River basin snowpack is well above average at 174 per cent of historical median for March 1, setting a new record. The Lower Yukon and Peel River basins’ snowpack are above average. The Alsek, Upper Yukon, Teslin, Liard, and White basins are close to average. The Central Yukon, Stewart and Pelly River basins are below average.
Most regions can expect below to slightly below average to average freshet runoff volumes this spring while the Peel, Klondike and Porcupine can expect above average freshet flows.
The March 1 snow survey indicates that there will be low flood potential during spring freshet in most of the territory but above average flood potential in the Klondike and Porcupine.
The Government of Yukon, through the Emergency Measures Organization, continues to plan and coordinate with local governments and agencies to enhance flood preparedness and emergency response efforts. These efforts aim to ensure that Yukoners are informed of flood risks and adequately equipped to address potential flooding incidents within their communities.
Snowpack is one risk factor for high water flows, water levels and flooding during the spring breakup and snowmelt period. Spring weather, the timing and progression of snowmelt and precipitation events are also important drivers of flooding regardless of snowpack levels.
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Every March, April and May, the Government of Yukon conducts Yukon-wide snow surveys to help forecast water levels and flow conditions across the Yukon.
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The March 1 snowpack observations provide insight into the development of the snowpack, with the April 1 snow survey typically representing peak snowpack.
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The Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecasts provide a summary of winter meteorological and hydrological conditions for major Yukon watersheds.
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The bulletin provides long-term snowpack averages, monthly data and current snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) observations for 52 locations in the Yukon and five locations in the neighbouring areas of British Columbia and Alaska.
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Snow Water Equivalent or SWE is the amount of water released from the snowpack when it melts.
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Freshet, or spring freshet, is when rivers and lakes rise and peak in response to spring snowmelt. The freshet can last several weeks.
Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
mara.delarosa@yukon.ca