March snow survey shows snowpack is average to well above average across most of the Yukon

The Government of Yukon has released the March 1 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast to help inform spring water levels and flow conditions across the Yukon.

The snow survey found that the snowpack ranges from near normal in the Mayo region to well above normal in the Teslin region.

The Teslin / Big Salmon, Central Yukon (Carmacks area), White, Liard and Lower Yukon (Dawson / Klondike area) basin snowpacks are all well above normal for March 1. The Upper Yukon (Southern Lakes / Whitehorse area), Peel, Pelly and Alsek basins are all above normal. The Stewart River Basin is close to normal. Although poor weather conditions prevented the collection of enough snow measurements in the headwaters of the Porcupine River Basin to inform a March 1 snowpack estimate, Old Crow had a normal snowpack and climate modelling suggests close to normal snowpack in the basin.

Current snowpack conditions suggest there is an above average freshet flood potential for small creeks in the Teslin / Big Salmon, Central Yukon, White, Liard, Lower Yukon and Upper Yukon basins. There is an elevated flood risk for the communities of Teslin, Carmacks, Upper Liard and the Klondike Valley.

The Southern Lakes snowpack is well above normal in the lower basin, but the high elevation mountain snowpack is closer to 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.

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 keep Yukoners informed of flood risks and adequately equipped to address potential flooding incidents within their communities.