YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST May 1, 2008

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1 YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST 1, 2008 Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Section Environmental Programs Branch Environment Yukon Yukon Snow Survey

2 PREFACE The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is prepared and issued three times annually - after ch 1, April 1 and 1 - by Environment Yukon s Water Resources Section. 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: Jocelyn Joe-Strack Richard owicz Hydrology Technologist Manager, Hydrology (867) (867) jocelyn.joe-strack@gov.yk.ca richard.janowicz@gov.yk.ca NETWORK CHANGES for 2008 There have been no network changes in This bulletin can now be accessed on the web 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 Environmental Programs Branch, Water Resources Section Dept. of Environment Government Of Yukon Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 2 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is published three times annually, after ch l, April l, and l, as part of the Yukon Snow Survey Program, by the Water Resources Section, Environmental Programs 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: Atmospheric Environment Service, Whitehorse Supervisor, Technical Programs Officer in Charge, Water Survey of Canada, Whitehorse. Agencies cooperating with Environment Yukon in the Snow Survey Program are: Client Service and Inspections Branch, Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources Information Management and Technology, Yukon Department of Environment B.C. Ministry of Environment, Water Stewardship Division USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works Parks Canada The Yukon Energy Corporation Yukon Snow Survey

4 YUKON TERRITORY SNOWPACK CONDITIONS AND RUNOFF PROJECTION WEATHER Temperatures throughout the Yukon were above normal until near the middle of the month. An arctic cold front from the north made temperatures drop by 10 or more degrees over a few days. The temperatures warmed quickly but remained below normal until the last week of April. Record maximum temperatures were recorded early in the month at some locations while record minimums were recorded when the cold front passed. The month ended with the average far north temperatures five degrees above normal, southern temperatures around normal and south-eastern portions below normal. The Whitehorse area along with o and eastward received more than double the normal precipitation. The rest of the Territory saw near normal amounts except for the north coast and the Dempster Highway, which was well below normal. Most of the precipitation fell as snow with only a few areas in the southern lakes region recording rain.. SNOWPACK The snowpack from Pelly Crossing southeast to Teslin and over to Watson Lake is well above normal while the Kluane area is well below normal. The rest of the Yukon is near normal. STREAMFLOW Streamflow conditions within the Yukon are normal or below normal for April with the exception of the Liard and Alsek, which are above normal. Streamflow during this period represents winter baseflow, which provides an indication of winter groundwater contributions. Breakup on the Yukon River at Dawson occurred on the afternoon of 4 th. 4 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

5 Yukon Snow Survey

6 6 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

7 Yukon Snow Survey

8 YUKON RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Yukon River Basin for 1 st are still above normal in the south, and close to normal in the rest of the basin. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUB-BASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES/WHITEHORSE) Snowpack conditions in the Upper Yukon River watershed are above normal. Values range from 167 percent of normal at Meadow Creek a new record for 1 st to 96 percent of normal at Atlin, The basin wide average has been estimated to be 131 percent of normal. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUB-BASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES/WHITEHORSE) 400 MILLIMETERS OF WATER 3 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean Yukon Snow Survey 2008

9 WHITEHORSE AREA Snowpack conditions in the Whitehorse area are near normal for 1 st. Values range from 139 percent of normal at Tagish to 36 percent of normal at Whitehorse Airport. A basin wide average is estimated to be 118 percent of average. MILLIMETERS OF WATER WHITEHORSE AREA 200 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 1 0 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean ACCUMULATED PRECIPITATION Whitehorse PERCENT OF NORMAL Oct Dec Feb Apr PRECIP TO DATE Yukon Snow Survey

10 SNOW PILLOW STATION DATA TAGISH, No: 09AA-SC1 MILLIMETERS OF WATER yr mean SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN LAT 60 O 17' LONG 134 O 11' ELEVATION 1080 metres DRAINAGE YUKON BASIN 10 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

11 YUKON RIVER AT WHITEHORSE DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (75-96)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW MARSH LAKE The elevation of sh Lake during April was or 0.22M below normal. Yukon River at Whitehorse mean discharge during April was 89 percent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 105 percent and 105 percent of normal respectively. MARSH LAKE NEAR WHITEHORSE ELEVATION (m) AVERAGE (76-93)ELEVATION MEAN MONTHLY ELEVATION Yukon Snow Survey

12 PELLY RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Pelly River watershed are well above normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from 103 percent of normal at Twin Creek to 218 percent of normal at Hoole River. A basin wide average has been estimated to be 144 percent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the watershed was 108 percent 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 percent and 105 percent of normal respectively. MILLIMETERS OF WATER PELLY BASIN 300 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean Yukon Snow Survey 2008

13 SNOW PILLOW STATION DATA MT SHELDON, No: 09BA-SC6 MILLIMETERS OF WATER PELLY RIVER BELOW VANGORDA CREEK DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (72-96)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey

14 STEWART RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Stewart River watershed are below normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from no snow at o Airport to 101 percent of normal at Plata Airstrip. A basin wide average has been estimated to be 86 percent of normal. The Stewart River near the Mouth indicates April streamflow at 84 percent of average. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 90 percent and 80 percent of normal respectively. MILLIMETERS OF WATER STEWART BASIN 300 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 ACCUMULATED PRECIPITATION o PERCENT OF NORMAL Oct Dec Feb Apr PRECIP TO DATE 14 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

15 SNOW PILLOW STATION DATA WITHERS LAKE, No: 09DB-SC1 MILLIMETERS OF WATER SEP OCTNOV mean DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN LAT 63 O 59' LONG 132 O 18' ELEVATION 975 metres DRAINAGE STEWART BASIN STEWART RIVER AT THE MOUTH DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (64-98)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey

16 LOWER YUKON RIVER BASIN (DAWSON AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Dawson area are below normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from no snow at Grizzly Creek to 156 percent of normal at King Solomon Dome. An area wide average has been estimated to be 86 percent of normal. MILLIMETERS OF WATER LOWER YUKON BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 ACCUMULATED PRECIPITATION Dawson PERCENT OF NORMAL Oct Dec Feb Apr PRECIP TO DATE 16 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

17 LIARD RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Liard River watershed are well above normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from 147 percent of normal at Tintina Airstrip to 267 percent of normal at Watson Lake Airport. A basin wide average has been estimated to be 177 percent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the Liard River upstream of Upper Liard was 110 percent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 120 percent and 118 percent of normal. MILLIMETERS OF WATER LIARD BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LOWER THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 ACCUMULATED PRECIPITATION Watson Lake PERCENT OF NORMAL Oct Dec Feb Apr PRECIP TO DATE Yukon Snow Survey

18 SNOW PILLOW STATION DATA HYLAND RIVER, No: 10AD-SC1 MILLIMETERS OF WATER yr mean Hyland station destroyed by fire June 2002 SEP OCT NOV JAN DEC FEB MAR APR MAY JUN LAT 61 O 31' LONG 128 O 16' ELEVATION 855 metres DRAINAGE LIARD BASIN LIARD RIVER AT UPPER CROSSING 00.0 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (60-96)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW 18 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

19 ALSEK RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Alsek River watershed are well below normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from no snow at Alder Creek to 123 percent of normal at Canyon Lake. A basin wide average has been estimated to be 53 percent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Alsek River above Bates River was 123 percent of normal. The Alsek River is primarily a glacial regime type, which is largely dependent on summer temperatures. Given normal summer meteorological conditions however, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 80 and 80 percent of normal respectively. MILLIMETERS OF WATER ALSEK BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 ACCUMULATED PRECIPITATION Haines Junction PERCENT OF NORMAL Oct Dec Feb Apr PRECIP TO DATE Yukon Snow Survey

20 ALSEK RIVER ABOVE BATES RIVER 0.0 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (74-96)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW 20 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

21 PEEL RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Peel River watershed are below normal with no snow reported at our indicator snow courses. Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Peel River above Canyon Creek station was 89 percent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 90 and 95 percent of normal respectively. MILLIMETERS OF WATER PEEL BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 PEEL RIVER ABOVE CANYON CREEK 0 10 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (62-93)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey

22 PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Porcupine River watershed are below normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from no snow at Eagle River to 101 percent of normal at Eagle Plains. A basin wide average has been estimated to be 92 percent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the basin as indicated by the Porcupine River near the International Boundary is 78 percent of normal. Porcupine River volume and peak flow forecasts are not available at this time. MILLIMETERS OF WATER PORCUPINE BASIN 2 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM Apr 01- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 2008 PORCUPINE RIVER NEAR INTERNATIONAL BORDER 00.0 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) AVERAGE (87-96)FLOW MEAN MONTHLY FLOW 22 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

23 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 08AA-SC /29/ Alder Creek 08AA-SC /2/ Aishihik Lake 08AA-SC /29/ Haines Junction Farm 08AA-SC /1/ B 52 8 Clay Creek 08AB-SC /30/ Summit 08AB-SC03 0 5/1/ B Profile Mountain 08AB-SC /30/ Yukon River Basin Tagish 09AA-SC /1/ E Montana Mountain 09AA-SC /1/ E Log Cabin (B.C.) 09AA-SC /2/ Atlin (B.C) 09AA-SC /1/ Mt McIntyre B 09AB-SC01B /1/ Whitehorse Airport 09AB-SC /1/ Meadow Creek 09AD-SC /28/ Jordan Lake 09AD-SC /30/ Morley Lake 09AE-SC /29/ Mount Berdoe 09AH-SC /1/ Satasha Lake 09AH-SC /1/ Williams Creek 09AH-SC /1/ E Twin Creeks 09BA-SC /29/ Hoole River 09BA-SC /30/ Burns Lake 09BA-SC /30/ Finlayson Airstrip 09BA-SC /30/ Fuller Lake 09BB-SC /29/ Russell Lake 09BB-SC /29/ Rose Creek 09BC-SC /29/ B Mount Nansen 09CA-SC /1/ MacIntosh 09CA-SC /1/ Burwash Airstrip 09CA-SC /30/ Duke River 09CA-SC /2/ N.S Beaver Creek 09CB-SC /30/ Chair Mountain 09CB-SC No Surv N.S White River 09CB-SC No Surv N.S. 0 2 Casino Creek 09CD-SC /1/ Pelly Farm 09CD-SC /27/ Printed on from the Environment Yukon Snow Survey System Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range Yukon Snow Survey

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 Yukon River Basin Plata Airstrip 09DA-SC /29/ Arrowhead Lake 09DA-SC No Surv N.S Withers Lake 09DB-SC /29/ Rackla Lake 09DB-SC /29/ o Airport A 09DC-SC01A 540 No Surv o Airport B 09DC-SC01B 540 No Surv Edwards Lake 09DC-SC /29/ Calumet 09DD-SC /1/ King Solomon Dome 09EA-SC /28/ B Grizzly Creek 09EA-SC /29/ Midnight Dome 09EB-SC /28/ Porcupine River Basin Riff's Ridge 09FA-SC01 6 4/30/ Eagle Plains 09FB-SC /30/ Eagle River 09FB-SC /30/ Old Crow 09FD-SC No Surv Liard River Basin Watson Lake Airport 10AA-SC /29/ Tintina Airstrip 10AA-SC /30/ Pine Lake Airstrip 10AA-SC /29/ Ford Lake 10AA-SC /30/ Frances River 10AB-SC /28/ Hyland River 10AD-SC /25/ B Peel River Basin Blackstone River 10MA-SC /29/ Ogilvie River 10MA-SC /29/ Bonnet Plume Lake 10MB-SC /29/ Alaska Snow Courses Eaglecrest 08AK-SC /28/ Moore Creek Bridge 08AK-SC /30/ Printed on from the Environment Yukon Snow Survey System Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range 24 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

25 INDEX OF YUKON SNOW COURSES 2008 NAME NUMBER ELEVATION (m) LATITUDE LONGITUDE AGENCY YUKON RIVER BASIN Tagish 09AA-SC o 17' 134 o 11' 2 Montana Mountain 09AA-SC o 08' 134 o 44' 2 Log Cabin (B.C.) 09AA-SC o 46' 134 o 58' 2 Atlin (B.C.) 09AA-SC o 34' 133 o 42' 3 Mt. McIntyre (B) 09AB-SC1B o 39' 135 o 08' 1 Whitehorse Airport 09AB-SC o 42' 135 o 04' 1 Meadow Creek 09AD-SC o 35' 133 o 05' 2 Jordan Lake 09AD-SC o 52' 132 o ' 1 Morley Lake 09AE-SC o 00' 132 o 07' 2 Mount Berdoe 09AH-SC o 02' 136 o 14' 2 Satasha Lake 09AH-SC o 29' 136 o 16' 2 Williams Creek 09AH-SC o 21' 136 o 43' 2 Twin Creeks 09BA-SC o 37' 131 o 16' 1 Hoole River 09BA-SC o 32' 131 o 36' 1 Burns Lake 09BA-SC o 17' 129 o 57' 1 Finlayson Airstrip 09BA-SC o 42' 130 o 46' 1 Fuller Lake 09BB-SC o 58' 130 o 46' 1 Rose Creek 09BC-SC o20 ' 133 o 23' 1 Russell Lake 09BB-SC o 12' 133 o 29' 1 Mount Nansen 09CA-SC o 02' 137 o 03' 2 MacIntosh 09CA-SC o 43' 137 o 20' 2 Burwash Airstrip 09CA-SC o 23' 139 o 03' 2 Duke River 09CA-SC o 15' 138 o 59' 6 Beaver Creek 09CB-SC o 25' 140 o 51' 2 Chair Mountain 09CB-SC o 04' 140 o 48' 2 White River 09CB-SC o 55' 140 o 32' 2 Casino Creek 09CD-SC o 44' 138 o 48' 2 Pelly Farm 09CD-SC o ' 137 o 20' 8 Plata Airstrip 09DA-SC o 31' 132 o 03' 1 Arrowhead Lake 09DA-SC o 42' 131 o 10' 1 Withers Lake 09DB-SC o 59' 132 o 18' 1 Rackla Lake 09DB-SC o 17' 133 o 15' 1 o Airport (A) 09DC-SC1A o 38' 135 o 53' 2 o Airport (B) 09DC-SC1B o 38' 135 o 53' 2 Edwards Lake 09DC-SC o 42' 134 o 18' 1 Calumet 09DD-SC o 55' 135 o 24' 2 King Solomon Dome 09EA-SC o 52' 138 o 56' 2 Grizzly Creek 09EA-SC o 26' 138 o 16 2 Boundary (Alaska) 09EC-SC o 05' 141 o 27' 4 Midnight Dome 09EB-SC o 04' 139 o 24' 2 Yukon Snow Survey

26 NAME NUMBER ELEVATION (m) LATITUDE LONGITUDE AGENCY LIARD RIVER BASIN Watson Lake Airport 10AA-SC o 07' 128 o ' 2 Tintina Airstrip 10AA-SC o 05' 131 o 15' 1 Pine Lake Airstrip 10AA-SC o 06' 130 o 56' 2 Ford Lake 10AA-SC o 47' 131 o 28' 1 Frances River 10AB-SC o 35' 129 o 11' 2 Hyland River 10AD-SC o 31' 128 o 16' 2 ALSEK RIVER BASIN Canyon Lake 08AA-SC o 07' 136 o 59' 7 Alder Creek 08AA-SC o 22' 137 o 06' 6 Aishihik Lake 08AA-SC o 12' 137 o 00' 7 Haines Junction Farm 08AA-SC o 45' 137 o 34' 2 Clay Creek 08AB-SC o 09' 137 o 56' 6 Summitt 08AB-SC o 51' 137 o 47' 2 Profile Mountain 08AB-SC o 38' 137 o 56' 6 PEEL RIVER BASIN Blackstone River 10MA-SC o 57' 138 o 15' 2 Ogilvie River 10MA-SC o 21' 138 o 18' 2 Bonnet Plume Lake 10MB-SC o 18' 132 o 00' 1 PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Riff's Ridge 09FA-SC o 57' 137 o 22' 2 Eagle Plains 09FB-SC o 22' 136 o 44' 2 Eagle River 09FB-SC o 27' 136 o 43' 2 Old Crow 09FD-SC o 34' 139 o 51' 5 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 26 Yukon Snow Survey 2008

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

YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST 1, 215 Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch Environment Yukon PREFACE The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is prepared and