YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST March 1, Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch Environment Yukon

Transcription

1 YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST ch 1, 215 Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch Environment Yukon

2 PREFACE The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is prepared and issued three times annually after ch 1 st, April 1 st and 1 st by Environment Yukon s Water Resources Branch. The bulletin provides a summary of winter meteorological and streamflow conditions for Yukon, as well as current snow depth and snow water equivalent observations for 56 locations. This information is used to make projections of total volume runoff for the summer period and an estimate of peak flow for the main river basins and sub-basins including the upper and lower Yukon, Pelly, Stewart, Liard, Alsek, Porcupine and Peel Rivers. Information about the bulletin, snowpack conditions or streamflow projections can be obtained by contacting: Jonathan Kolot Richard owicz Hydrology Technologist Manager, Hydrology (867) (867) jonathan.kolot@gov.yk.ca richard.janowicz@gov.yk.ca Water Resources Branch, Environment Yukon (867) , toll free (in Yukon): local 3171 Fax: water.resources@gov.yk.ca WATER NETWORK CHANGES for 215 There were no water network changes in 215. This bulletin, as well as earlier editions, is available online at: ISSN X It is recommended that reference to this report be made in the following form: Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast, ch 1, 215 ch 215 Water Resources Branch Department of Environment Government of Yukon Box 273, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 2

3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is published three times annually: after ch 1 st, April 1 st, and 1 st. The Bulletin forms part of the Yukon Snow Survey Program administered by the Water Resources Branch, Department of Environment, Government of Yukon. Other agencies that contribute significantly to the Snow Survey Program by providing data, assistance and information for the bulletin are: Data Collection Officer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture Meteorologist, Wildland Fire Management, Yukon Department of Community Services, Whitehorse Officer in Charge, Water Survey of Canada, Whitehorse Water Management Engineer, Yukon Energy Corporation Agencies cooperating with Environment Yukon in the Snow Survey Program are: B.C. Ministry of Environment, Water Stewardship Division, Parks Canada Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Compliance Monitoring and Inspections Branch Yukon Department of Environment, Information Management and Technology Branch Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 3

4 YUKON TERRITORY SNOWPACK CONDITIONS AND RUNOFF PROJECTION WEATHER The winter of 214 started out relatively warm and dry, but unlike 213, it remained that way throughout December. uary saw well-abovenormal temperatures across southern Yukon followed by a period of well-below-normal temperatures in February. Despite this unusual cold spell, the Oct-Feb period ended 2 to 3 C above normal throughout central and southern Yukon. Precipitation was below normal for the period at all stations. October October 214 was characterized by above-normal mean temperatures at all stations. Precipitation was near normal except in the Beaver Creek area, where it was well below normal due in part to a persistent blocking pattern over the Alaskan interior. ember ember was characterized by a series of persistent upper pressure ridges bringing warm air into Yukon from the south. The pattern reversed later in the month, with cold air flowing into the territory from the Arctic. Temperatures for the month were once again above normal and precipitation was, for the most part, well below normal. December Upper pressure ridges again dominated the weather patterns in December, maintaining temperatures well above normal for the month and prolonging the dry spell. Precipitation continued to be well below normal in southern Yukon and below normal in central and northern Yukon. February A very cold northerly flow of air kept temperatures well below normal in early February. A flow of warm air from the south brought temperatures up to slightly below normal by the end of the month. Precipitation was well below normal at most stations. SNOWPACK The ch 1 st Yukon snowpack is quite variable with well-below-normal conditions in southwestern Yukon and well-above-normal conditions in northern Yukon. Southern regions, including the Southern Lakes and the Liard basin, have average or belowaverage conditions. Interior Yukon, including the Pelly and Stewart River basins, has a near-normal snowpack. Much of northern Yukon has abovenormal snowpack, with the Porcupine River basin including Old Crow and the Eagle River, with wellabove-normal snowpack. STREAMFLOW Streamflow conditions throughout Yukon are above normal. The upper Yukon River is slightly above normal; the Stewart, Pelly, Liard, Peel and Alsek Rivers are all moderately above normal; and the Porcupine River is well above normal for this time of the year. Streamflow during this period represents winter base flow, which provides an indication of winter groundwater contributions. uary uary was characterized by well-above-normal temperatures with values 6 to 8 C above average. A series of weak storms brought precipitation to near or slightly above normal levels at most stations. Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 4

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8 millimetres of water YUKON RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Yukon River basin range from below normal in the central portion of the basin to above normal in the northern extent. Overall conditions for the Yukon River basin are close to normal. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUB-BASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES) Snowpack conditions in the upper Yukon River watershed, though variable, are close to normal. Values range from 61 per cent of normal at Atlin to 127 per cent of normal at Montana Mountain. The basin-wide average has been estimated to be 97 per cent of normal. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUB-BASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES/WHITEHORSE) GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 215 Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 8

9 per cent of normal millimetres of water WHITEHORSE AREA Snowpack conditions in the Whitehorse area, though variable, are near normal for ch 1 st. Values range from 87 per cent of normal at Whitehorse Airport to 127 per cent of normal at Montana Mountain. An area-wide average is estimated to be 14 per cent of normal. 15 WHITEHORSE AREA GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Whitehorse Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 9

10 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Note: The slight drops in measured Snow Water Equivalent at the end of both December and uary are attributed to unusually high daily temperatures causing liquid water to precipitate out of the snow pack. YUKON RIVER AT WHITEHORSE AVERAGE FLOW ('4-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 1

11 ELEVATION (m) YUKON RIVER and MARSH LAKE The mean elevation of sh Lake during February was m or.35m below normal. Yukon River at Whitehorse mean discharge during February was 11 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be 86 and 87 per cent of normal, respectively. MARSH LAKE NEAR WHITEHORSE AVERAGE ELEVATION ('76-'14) MEAN MONTHLY ELEVATION Yukon Snow Survey ch

12 per cent of normal millimetres of water PELLY RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Pelly River watershed are just above normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from 12 per cent of normal at Twin Creeks to 113 per cent of normal at Hoole River. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 17 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the watershed was 134 per cent of normal as indicated by the Pelly River below Vangorda Creek. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows are expected to be 86 per cent and 87 per cent of normal, respectively PELLY BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Ross River Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch

13 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) PELLY RIVER BELOW VANGORDA CREEK AVERAGE FLOW ('72-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

14 per cent of normal millimetres of water STEWART RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Stewart River watershed are slightly above normal for ch 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 84 per cent of normal at o Airport to 114 per cent of normal at Plata Airstrip. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 15 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the watershed was 128 per cent of normal as indicated by the Stewart River at the Mouth. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be 9 and 95 per cent of normal, respectively STEWART BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL o Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch

15 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Note: The slight drops in measured Snow Water Equivalent toward the end of ember and mid-february are attributed to unusually high daily temperatures causing liquid water to precipitate out of the snow pack. STEWART RIVER AT THE MOUTH AVERAGE FLOW ('64-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

16 per cent of normal millimetres of water CENTRAL YUKON RIVER BASIN (CARMACKS AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Carmacks area are below normal for ch 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 6 per cent of normal at MacIntosh to 97 per cent of normal at Mt. Berdoe. An area-wide average has been estimated to be 81 per cent of normal CENTRAL YUKON BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 215 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Carmacks Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch

17 per cent of normal millimetres of water LOWER YUKON RIVER BASIN (DAWSON AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Dawson area are above normal for ch 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 16 per cent of normal at King Solomon Dome to a record of 12 per cent of normal at Grizzly Creek. An area-wide average has been estimated to be 114 per cent of normal LOWER YUKON BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Dawson Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch

18 per cent of normal millimetres of water LIARD RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Liard River watershed are below normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from 66 per cent of normal at Frances River to 11 per cent of normal at Tintina Airstrip. A basinwide average has been estimated to be 89 per cent of normal LIARD BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM Mean February streamflow for the Liard River upstream of Upper Liard was 143 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 8 per cent and 85 per cent of normal, respectively LOWER THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Watson Lake Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch

19 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) LIARD RIVER AT UPPER CROSSING AVERAGE FLOW ('6-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

20 per cent of normal millimetres of water ALSEK RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Alsek River watershed are below normal for ch 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 6 per cent of normal at Summit to 73 per cent of normal at Alder Creek. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 65 per cent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Alsek River above Bates River was 129 per cent of normal. The Alsek River is primarily a glacial regime type, which is largely dependent on summer temperatures. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 75 and 7 per cent of normal, respectively ALSEK BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 215 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Haines Junction Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey ch 215 2

21 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) ALSEK RIVER ABOVE BATES RIVER AVERAGE FLOW ('74-'13) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

22 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PEEL RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Peel River watershed are above normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from 116 per cent of normal at Blackstone to 152 per cent of normal at Ogilvie. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 135 per cent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for February as indicated by the Peel River above Canyon Creek station was 123 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 115 and 12 per cent of normal, respectively PEEL BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 215 PEEL RIVER ABOVE CANYON CREEK AVERAGE FLOW ('62-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

23 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Porcupine River watershed are well above normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from 147 per cent of normal at Eagle Plains to a record 167 per cent of normal at Eagle River. Old Crow has also received a record snowpack at 158 per cent of normal values. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 156 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the basin as indicated by the Porcupine River near the International Boundary is 168 per cent of normal. There is no flow forecast available for ch 1 st PORCUPINE BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 215 PORCUPINE RIVER NEAR INTERNATIONAL BORDER AVERAGE FLOW ('87-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey ch

24 Drainage Basin and Snow Course For Sample Date: This Year Water Content Name Number Elev Date of Snow Water Last Average Yrs (m) Survey Depth Content Year of (cm) (mm) (mm) (mm) Rec Alsek River Basin Canyon Lake 8AA-SC Alder Creek 8AA-SC Aishihik Lake 8AA-SC Haines Junction Farm 8AA-SC Summit 8AB-SC Yukon River Basin Tagish 9AA-SC Montana Mountain 9AA-SC Log Cabin (B.C.) 9AA-SC Atlin (B.C) 9AA-SC N.S Mt McIntyre B 9AB-SC1B Whitehorse Airport 9AB-SC Meadow Creek 9AD-SC Jordan Lake 9AD-SC Morley Lake 9AE-SC Mount Berdoe 9AH-SC Satasha Lake 9AH-SC Williams Creek 9AH-SC Twin Creeks 9BA-SC Hoole River 9BA-SC Burns Lake 9BA-SC Finlayson Airstrip 9BA-SC Fuller Lake 9BB-SC No Surv Russell Lake 9BB-SC Rose Creek 9BC-SC Mount Nansen 9CA-SC MacIntosh 9CA-SC Burwash Airstrip 9CA-SC Beaver Creek 9CB-SC Chair Mountain 9CB-SC Casino Creek 9CD-SC Pelly Farm 9CD-SC Plata Airstrip 9DA-SC Withers Lake 9DB-SC Rackla Lake 9DB-SC o Airport A 9DC-SC1A Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range Yukon Snow Survey ch

25 Drainage Basin and Snow Course For Sample Date: This Year Water Content Name Number Elev Date of Snow Water Last Average Yrs (m) Survey Depth Content Year of (cm) (mm) (mm) (mm) Rec Yukon River Basin o Airport B 9DC-SC1B Edwards Lake 9DC-SC Calumet 9DD-SC King Solomon Dome 9EA-SC Grizzly Creek 9EA-SC Midnight Dome 9EB-SC Boundary (Alaska) 9EC-SC N.S Porcupine River Basin Riff's Ridge 9FA-SC Eagle Plains 9FB-SC Eagle River 9FB-SC Old Crow 9FD-SC B Liard River Basin Watson Lake Airport 1AA-SC Tintina Airstrip 1AA-SC Pine Lake Airstrip 1AA-SC Ford Lake 1AA-SC Frances River 1AB-SC Hyland River 1AD-SC Peel River Basin Blackstone River 1MA-SC Ogilvie River 1MA-SC Bonnet Plume Lake 1MB-SC Alaska Snow Courses Eaglecrest 8AK-SC N.S Moore Creek Bridge 8AK-SC Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range Yukon Snow Survey ch

26 INDEX OF YUKON SNOW COURSES NAME NUMBER ELEVATION (m) LATITUDE LONGITUDE AGENCY YUKON RIVER BASIN Tagish 9AA-SC o 17' 134 o 11' 2 Montana Mountain 9AA-SC o 8' 134 o 44' 2 Log Cabin (B.C.) 9AA-SC o 46' 134 o 58' 2 Atlin (B.C.) 9AA-SC o 34' 133 o 42' 3 Mt. McIntyre (B) 9AB-SC1B o 39' 135 o 8' 1 Whitehorse Airport 9AB-SC2 7 6 o 42' 135 o 4' 1 Meadow Creek 9AD-SC o 35' 133 o 5' 2 Jordan Lake 9AD-SC o 52' 132 o 5' 2 Morley Lake 9AE-SC o ' 132 o 7' 2 Mount Berdoe 9AH-SC o 2' 136 o 14' 2 Satasha Lake 9AH-SC o 29' 136 o 16' 2 Williams Creek 9AH-SC o 21' 136 o 43' 2 Twin Creeks 9BA-SC o 37' 131 o 16' 2 Hoole River 9BA-SC o 32' 131 o 36' 2 Burns Lake 9BA-SC o 17' 129 o 57' 2 Finlayson Airstrip 9BA-SC o 42' 13 o 46' 2 Fuller Lake 9BB-SC o 58' 13 o 46' 2 Rose Creek 9BC-SC o 2' 133 o 23' 2 Russell Lake 9BB-SC o 12' 133 o 29' 2 Mount Nansen 9CA-SC o 2' 137 o 3' 2 Macintosh 9CA-SC o 43' 137 o 2' 2 Burwash Airstrip 9CA-SC o 23' 139 o 3' 2 Duke River 9CA-SC o 15' 138 o 59' 6 Beaver Creek 9CB-SC o 25' 14 o 51' 2 Chair Mountain 9CB-SC o 4' 14 o 48' 2 White River 9CB-SC o 55' 14 o 32' 2 Casino Creek 9CD-SC o 44' 138 o 48' 2 Pelly Farm 9CD-SC o 5' 137 o 2' 8 Plata Airstrip 9DA-SC o 31' 132 o 3' 2 Arrowhead Lake 9DA-SC o 42' 131 o 1' 2 Withers Lake 9DB-SC o 59' 132 o 18' 2 Rackla Lake 9DB-SC o 17' 133 o 15' 2 o Airport (A) 9DC-SC1A o 38' 135 o 53' 2 o Airport (B) 9DC-SC1B o 38' 135 o 53' 2 Edwards Lake 9DC-SC o 42' 134 o 18' 2 Calumet 9DD-SC o 55' 135 o 24' 2 King Solomon Dome 9EA-SC o 52' 138 o 56' 2 Grizzly Creek 9EA-SC o 26' 138 o 16 2 Boundary (Alaska) 9EC-SC o 5' 141 o 27' 4 Midnight Dome 9EB-SC o 4' 139 o 24' 2 Yukon Snow Survey ch

27 NAME NUMBER ELEVATION (m) LATITUDE LONGITUDE AGENCY LIARD RIVER BASIN Watson Lake Airport 1AA-SC o 7' 128 o 5' 2 Tintina Airstrip 1AA-SC o 5' 131 o 15' 2 Pine Lake Airstrip 1AA-SC o 6' 13 o 56' 2 Ford Lake 1AA-SC o 47' 131 o 28' 2 Frances River 1AB-SC o 35' 129 o 11' 2 Hyland River 1AD-SC o 31' 128 o 16' 2 ALSEK RIVER BASIN Canyon Lake 8AA-SC o 7' 136 o 59' 7 Alder Creek 8AA-SC o 22' 137 o 6' 2 Aishihik Lake 8AA-SC o 12' 137 o ' 7 Haines Junction Farm 8AA-SC o 45' 137 o 34' 2 Clay Creek 8AB-SC o 9' 137 o 56' 6 Summit 8AB-SC3 6 o 51' 137 o 47' 2 Profile Mountain 8AB-SC4 9 6 o 38' 137 o 56' 6 PEEL RIVER BASIN Blackstone River 1MA-SC o 57' 138 o 15' 2 Ogilvie River 1MA-SC o 21' 138 o 18' 2 Bonnet Plume Lake 1MB-SC o 18' 132 o ' 2 PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Riff's Ridge 9FA-SC o 57' 137 o 22' 2 Eagle Plains 9FB-SC o 22' 136 o 44' 2 Eagle River 9FB-SC o 27' 136 o 43' 2 Old Crow 9FD-SC o 34' 139 o 51' 6 ALASKA SNOW COURSES Eaglecrest 34J o 17' 134 o 32' 4 Moore Creek Bridge 34K o 31' 135 o 15' 4 Numbers refer to Agencies cooperating in the Yukon Snow Surveys: 1. Department of Environment, Government of Yukon 2. Dept of Energy Mines and Resources Yukon 3. British Columbia Ministry of Environment 4. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 5. Yukon Transportation and Highways 6. Parks Canada 7. Yukon Energy Corp. 8. Private Contract Yukon Snow Survey ch

28 Location of Water Resource Snow Courses Yukon Snow Survey ch