The Government of Yukon is seeking public feedback on draft flood hazard maps for the Southern Lakes area and the community of Carmacks. Feedback received can contribute to refinements in the maps where the data inputs did not fully capture real conditions.
The draft flood hazard maps were developed through detailed surveying and modelling and show how different potential flooding scenarios could impact surrounding areas. The Southern Lakes maps cover about 150 kilometres of shoreline including the communities of Carcross, Marsh Lake, Tagish and Lake Laberge. The Carmacks maps cover about 51 kilometres, including about 26 kilometres of the Yukon River and nine kilometres of the Nordenskiold River.
Yukoners living in the Southern Lakes and Carmacks areas are encouraged to visit flood-atlas.service.yukon.ca/pages/draft-flood-maps to submit their feedback on draft flood hazard maps. This includes information that validates the extent of mapped flood areas, information on high-water marks, Indigenous knowledge, and experiences with flooding. The public engagement will be open for input from January 11 to February 9, 2024.
In addition to the online public engagement, open houses are being held for residents living in Carmacks and the Southern Lakes communities. Community members can attend these in-person events to provide feedback.
The development of Flood Hazard Maps for flood-prone Yukon communities is a Government of Yukon commitment under Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
As our environment continues to see changes, flooding in the Yukon is becoming more frequent and having larger impacts on our communities. Flood hazard maps will give Yukoners and all levels of government important insights into flood hazards, mitigation options and clarity for land use planning. I encourage Yukoners to provide their feedback to help ensure the flood hazard maps represent their experiences with flooding in the territory.
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke
Flood hazard maps are created by engineers and guide land use planning, development regulations, as well as flood mitigation measures such as floodwalls, levees and wetland restoration.
The open houses for draft flood hazard maps will be held on:
- Carmacks: Carmacks Recreation Centre, January 25, 5 pm to 7 pm
- Tagish: Tagish Community Centre, January 30, 5 pm to 7 pm
- Carcross: Haa Shagóon Hídi, Clan Room, January 31, 5 pm to 7:30 pm
- Marsh Lake: Marsh Lake Community Centre, February 6, 5 pm to 7 pm
- Lake Laberge: Hootalinqua Fire Hall, February 7, 5 pm to 7:30 pm
The final flood hazard maps for the Southern Lakes area and Carmacks are anticipated to be released and available to the public in spring 2024 and will be shared on the Government of Yukon’s Flood Atlas.
The Government of Yukon will continue to work with municipalities, Yukon First Nations, communities and Yukoners to mitigate and respond to flooding across the territory.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Jake Wilson
Communications, Department of Environment
867-334-8390
jake.wilson@yukon.ca