Flood maps out for Southern Lakes region, Carmacks

The Yukon government has released 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,” the government said Tuesday.

They represent the first in a series planned for all 14 flood-prone communities, as committed to in the government’s Our Clean Future climate strategy. Developed through detailed surveying and modelling, the 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.

Water levels on the Southern Lakes and Teslin Lake are rising as high-elevation snow drives inputs. The Yukon River at Carmacks will also continue to increase in level, this week’s forecast says.

At Dawson City, however, water levels will fluctuate with the rise and fall of other major tributaries, including the White, Pelly and Stewart rivers. 

The Klondike River is beginning its summer recession this week but will still experience rises and falls with precipitation events. Similarly, the Porcupine River is receding this week after a small weekend bump from the rain received in the headwaters late last week.

Before completing the flood hazard maps, the government released drafts for the Southern Lakes communities and Carmacks last January. This initiated a series of in-person open houses and online public engagement conducted by the government to help ensure the flood hazard maps are accurate and reflect real conditions.

The government 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 available online for public input until July 11. They will also be presented at the upcoming Village of Teslin and Teslin Tlingit Council joint council meeting scheduled for between 5 and 7 this evening at the Teslin Recreation Centre.

The next flood hazard maps, for Old Crow, Dawson City and the Klondike Valley, 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,” said Environment Minister Nils Clarke. 

“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.

Many Yukoners live near lakes and rivers, noted Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, “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.”

Yukoners can access these maps online by visiting the government Flood Atlas at: flood-atlas.service.yukon.ca.

Flood hazard maps, created by engineers, guide land use planning and the development of regulations and flood mitigation measures such as floodwalls, levees and wetland restoration.

In May, the Yukon and federal governments announced an investment of $3.5 million over four years to support flood hazard mapping in the Yukon.

Between January and February, the Yukon government hosted open houses in Carmacks, Tagish, Carcross, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge.

Community members discussed the draft flood hazard maps with engineering consultants and representatives from the Departments 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.