May snow survey shows snowpack above average to well above average across Yukon

The Government of Yukon has released the May 1 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast to help inform awareness of spring water levels and flow conditions across the Yukon. The snow survey found above normal to well above normal snowpack across the territory.

The White, Central Yukon (Carmacks area), Alsek, Teslin and Big Salmon, Lower Yukon (Dawson and Klondike area), Liard, Peel, Upper Yukon (Southern Lakes and Whitehorse area) and Porcupine and Pelly basin snowpacks are all well above normal for May 1. The Stewart River Basin is above normal.

The May 1 snow survey provides an indication of how much snow has melted to date and can indicate the potential for a compressed freshet, where more water moves through rivers in a shorter window of time, resulting in higher peak flows.

Given the current well above normal snowpack, most of the territory is expected to experience well above normal freshet peak flows, with elevated freshet flood potential for the communities of Teslin, Carmacks, Upper Liard and the Klondike Valley. There is also a high potential for small and medium watercourse flooding across most of the territory.

The Southern Lakes snowpack is well above normal in the lower basin, but the high elevation mountain snowpack is not as high relative to historical records, with Log Cabin at 125 per cent of normal. While the above normal snowpack increases flood potential for the Southern Lakes, the timing of snowmelt, summer precipitation and glacial melt act together to drive flooding, making flood potential more uncertain compared to other communities.

Snowpack is one of several risk factors for high 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.

Flooding is ongoing in the Klondike and there is elevated flood risk in other Yukon communities. The Government of Yukon, through the Emergency Coordination Centre, is working with the Dawson Emergency Control Group to respond. Where risk is elevated, the Government of Yukon is working in collaboration with impacted governments, partners and agencies on flood preparation and response.