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

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1 YUKON SNOW SURVEY BULLETIN & WATER SUPPLY FORECAST 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 SNOW SURVEY NETWORK CHANGES for 215 There were no snow survey 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, 1, Water Resources Branch Department of Environment Government of Yukon Box 273, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 Yukon Snow Survey 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 Snow Survey 215 3

4 YUKON TERRITORY SNOWPACK CONDITIONS AND RUNOFF PROJECTION WEATHER Not unlike the month of ch, April was characterized by a series of upper pressure ridges and above-average temperatures throughout the territory. April is typically a very dry month and there was no clear pattern to the precipitation, with some stations recording well-above-average amounts and other stations well below average. SNOWPACK The 1 st Yukon snowpack is quite variable with well-below-normal conditions in southwestern Yukon and well-above-normal conditions in northern Yukon. The Southern Lakes and Liard basin have average to below-average conditions, while the Alsek basin has well-below-normal conditions. Interior Yukon, including the Pelly and Stewart River basins, has a near-normal snowpack. Much of northern Yukon has above-normal snowpack, with well-above-normal snowpack in Eagle Plains and Old Crow. STREAMFLOW Streamflow conditions throughout Yukon are generally above normal with the exception of the upper Yukon River which is slightly below normal. The Peel and Alsek Rivers are moderately above normal; while the Pelly, Stewart, Liard and Porcupine Rivers are 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. Yukon Snow Survey 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 somewhat below 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 snow-free conditions at Atlin to 114 per cent of normal at Log Cabin and Meadow Creek stations. The basin-wide average has been estimated to be 17 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 215 8

9 percent of normal millimetres of water WHITEHORSE AREA Snowpack conditions in the Whitehorse area though variable, are close to normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from snow-free conditions at Whitehorse Airport to 19 per cent of normal at Tagish. An area-wide average is estimated to be 17 per cent of normal 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 215 9

10 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Note: The slight drops in measured Snow Water Equivalent over the course of the winter 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 215 1

11 ELEVATION (m) YUKON RIVER and MARSH LAKE The mean elevation of sh Lake during April was m or.27m below normal. Yukon River at Whitehorse mean discharge during April was 17 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be and 15 per cent of normal, respectively. MARSH LAKE NEAR WHITEHORSE AVERAGE ELEVATION ('76-'14) MEAN MONTHLY ELEVATION Yukon Snow Survey

12 percent of normal millimetres of water PELLY RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Pelly River watershed, though variable, are somewhat above normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from 99 per cent of normal at Twin Creeks to 136 per cent of normal at Hoole River. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 113 per cent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the watershed was 141 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 15 and 11 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

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

14 percent of normal millimetres of water STEWART RIVER SUB-BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Stewart River watershed, though variable, are normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from snow-free conditions at o Airport to 123 per cent of normal at Plata Airstrip. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 13 per cent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the watershed was 152 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 11 and 115 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

15 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Note: The slight drops in measured Snow Water Equivalent over the course of the winter 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

16 percent of normal millimetres of water CENTRAL YUKON RIVER BASIN (CARMACKS AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Carmacks area are well below normal for 1 st. Of the seven snow survey sites sampled in the area, only one still contained snow CENTRAL YUKON BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 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

17 percent of normal millimetres of water LOWER YUKON RIVER BASIN (DAWSON AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Dawson area are somewhat above normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 9 per cent of normal at Grizzly Creek to 137 per cent of normal at King Solomon Dome. An area-wide average has been estimated to be 117 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

18 percent of normal millimetres of water LIARD RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Liard River watershed are below normal. Values of snow water equivalent range snow-free conditions at Frances River and Watson Lake Airport to 15 per cent of normal at Tintina Airstrip. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 78 per cent of normal LIARD BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM Mean April streamflow for the Liard River upstream of Upper Liard was 151 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 85 and 9 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

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

20 percent of normal millimetres of water ALSEK RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Alsek River watershed, though variable, are below normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from 69 per cent of normal at Summit to 83 per cent of normal at Canyon Lake. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 72 per cent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Alsek River above Bates River was 121 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 7 and 75 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 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Haines Junction Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey 215 2

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

22 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PEEL RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Peel River watershed are well above normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from 131 per cent of normal at Blackstone to 176 per cent of normal at Ogilvie. A basinwide average has been estimated to be 154 per cent of normal PEEL BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Peel River above Canyon Creek station was 119 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 14 and 145 per cent of normal, respectively. 5 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

23 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Porcupine River watershed are at record levels with values of snow water equivalent ranging from 177 per cent of normal at Eagle River to a record 26 per cent of normal at Eagle Plains. A basinwide average has been estimated to be 196 per cent of normal PORCUPINE BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM Mean April streamflow for the basin as indicated by the Porcupine River near the International Boundary is 138 per cent of normal. While there is no flow forecast available for April 1 st, given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 15 and 16 per cent of normal, respectively 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

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 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 E Williams Creek 9AH-SC Twin Creeks 9BA-SC Hoole River 9BA-SC Burns Lake 9BA-SC Finlayson Airstrip 9BA-SC Fuller Lake 9BB-SC Russell Lake 9BB-SC Rose Creek 9BC-SC Mount Nansen 9CA-SC MacIntosh 9CA-SC E Burwash Airstrip 9CA-SC Beaver Creek 9CB-SC Chair Mountain 9CB-SC N.S 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, Code "N.S." No survey was conducted. Yukon Snow Survey

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 Porcupine River Basin Riff's Ridge 9FA-SC Eagle Plains 9FB-SC Eagle River 9FB-SC Old Crow 9FD-SC N.S 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 Moore Creek Bridge 8AK-SC N.S Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range, Code "N.S." No survey was conducted. Yukon Snow Survey

26 INDEX OF YUKON SNOW COURSES 215 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 Beaver Creek 9CB-SC o 25' 14 o 51' 2 Chair Mountain 9CB-SC o 4' 14 o 48' 2 Casino Creek 9CD-SC o 44' 138 o 48' 2 Pelly Farm 9CD-SC o 5' 137 o 2' 7 Plata Airstrip 9DA-SC o 31' 132 o 3' 2 Withers Lake 9DB-SC o 59' 132 o 18' 2 Rackla Lake 9DB-SC o 17' 133 o 15' 2 Calumet 9DD-SC o 55' 135 o 24' 2 King Solomon Dome 9EA-SC o 52' 138 o 56' 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 Grizzly Creek 9EA-SC o 26' 138 o 16 2 Midnight Dome 9EB-SC o 4' 139 o 24' 2 Boundary (Alaska) 9EC-SC o 5' 141 o 27' 4 Yukon Snow Survey

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' 6 Alder Creek 8AA-SC o 22' 137 o 6' 5 Aishihik Lake 8AA-SC o 12' 137 o ' 6 Haines Junction Farm 8AA-SC o 45' 137 o 34' 2 Summit 8AB-SC3 6 o 51' 137 o 47' 2 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' 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. Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Government of Yukon 3. British Columbia Ministry of Environment 4. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 5. Parks Canada 6. Yukon Energy Corporation 7. Private Contract Yukon Snow Survey

28 Location of Water Resource Snow Courses Yukon Snow Survey

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, 216 Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch Environment Yukon PREFACE The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is prepared and