The Government of Yukon and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have released a report which looks at some of the possible reasons why the Yukon River in Dawson City has not frozen for the past two winters.
The report, which was prepared by the NRC with input from the Government of Yukon and other stakeholders, also outlines different ways an ice bridge could be created if the river doesn’t naturally freeze between ferry terminals in the future. Information for this report was gathered from a variety of sources including feedback from an open house with about 40 Dawson City community members on August 22, 2018.
The Government of Yukon will be presenting the details of its planned approach for building the ice bridge this winter at a public meeting in Dawson City on Tuesday, October 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Downtown Hotel. At this meeting, members of the public will be able to ask questions about the ice bridge, as well as provide feedback on the report.
We want to keep communities connected in the Klondike. The report gives us tools and information to make informed long-term decisions about the ice bridge, find out where we’re missing important empirical data, understand why the river isn’t freezing and if there’s anything we can do about it.
Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn
Last January, spray technology was used to attempt to induce ice formation. This was unsuccessful in large part due to higher than normal temperatures during the period when the attempt was made.
Approximately 150 people live in the communities of West Dawson and Sunnydale.
Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca
Doris Wurfbaum
Communications, Highways and Public Works
867-393-7193
doris.wurfbaum@gov.yk.ca