March 1, Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch, Department of Environment

Transcription

1 ch 1, 218 Prepared and issued by: Water Resources Branch, Department of Environment

2 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 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 57 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 Anthony Bier Richard owicz Hydrology Technologist Hydrology Technologist Senior Scientist, Hydrology (867) (867) (867) jonathan.kolot@gov.yk.ca anthony.bier@gov.yk.ca richard.janowicz@gov.yk.ca Water Resources Branch, Department of Environment (867) , toll free (in Yukon, NWT, Nunavut): , ext Fax: water.resources@gov.yk.ca A new snow survey station, Hyland River B, was established in the Liard drainage for 218. 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, 218 ch 218 Water Resources Branch Department of Environment Government of Yukon Box 273, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 2

3 The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is published three times annually: after ch 1, April 1, and 1. 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 North Yukon Renewable Resource Council Parks Canada Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Compliance Monitoring and Inspections Branch Yukon Department of Environment, Information Management and Technology Branch

4 Fall and winter have exhibited a wide range of conditions, with periods of both record-breaking warmth and cold across the territory. By the end of February, the mean temperatures south of the Ogilvie Mountains had approached normal, while the far north continued to experience well above normal temperatures. Precipitation has been well below normal in the southeast Yukon and Atlin areas, while it is near normal throughout the rest of the territory. October experienced warmer than normal temperatures due to a series of upper ridges that brought warm air from southern latitudes, combined with a lack of arctic outbreaks. Stations in central Yukon and Beaver Creek received greater than normal precipitation in the form of both rain and snowfall while southern Yukon remained drier than normal due to the effect of upper ridges. The temperature trend was reversed in ember by a series of Arctic outbreaks that brought temperatures several degrees below normal to most of the territory. The exception was once again the far north which received warm southern air transported through the interior of Alaska. Precipitation anomalies were variable throughout the territory with no clear geographic trends apart from below-normal amounts throughout the extreme southwest. Early December experienced the season s first Pineapple Express ; a very warm, wet mass of air originating near Hawaii. Temperatures reached the double digits at many locations and nearly all locations were several degrees warmer than normal for the month; despite the presence of a persistent cold ridge over the territory for the final week of the year. Southern Yukon continued to be drier than normal. Mid-uary brought a second extreme warming event to the territory, causing warmer than normal temperatures across the entire Yukon. Precipitation was generally well below normal, but isolated rain or snowfall pushed some sites to greater-than-normal amounts. Northern Yukon, including Old Crow and the Dempster Highway, was warmer than normal during February, while the remainder of the territory was cooler than normal. This weather pattern brought in substantial moisture resulting in unusually heavy snowfall throughout much of western and southern Yukon. The exception was the Haines Highway area, which recorded well-below-normal snowfall. Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 4

5 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 5

6 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 6

7 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 7

8 millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Yukon River basin are quite variable for ch 1. On average, snowpack conditions in the upper Yukon River watershed are slightly below normal. Values range from 75 per cent of normal at Log Cabin to 127 per cent of normal at Tagish. The basin-wide average has been estimated to be 88 per cent of normal. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUB-BASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES/WHITEHORSE) GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 8

9 percent of normal millimetres of water On average, snowpack conditions in the Whitehorse area are slightly above normal as of ch 1. Values range from 11 per cent of normal at Montana Mountain to 127 per cent of normal at Tagish. An area-wide average is estimated to be 116 per cent of normal. WHITEHORSE AREA 25 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Whitehorse Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 9

10 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) YUKON RIVER AT WHITEHORSE AVERAGE FLOW ('4-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 1

11 ELEVATION (m) The mean elevation of sh Lake during February was or.29m above normal. Yukon River at Whitehorse mean discharge during February was 96 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be 95 and 98 per cent of normal, respectively. MARSH LAKE NEAR WHITEHORSE AVERAGE ELEVATION ('5-'17) MEAN MONTHLY ELEVATION Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

12 percent of normal millimetres of water On average, snowpack conditions in the Pelly River sub-basin were below normal as of ch 1st. Values for snow water equivalent range from 81 per cent of normal at Twin Creeks to 9 per cent of normal at Hoole River. A basin-wide average has been estimated at 85 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the watershed was 122 per cent of normal as indicated by the Pelly River below Vangorda Creek. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be 85 and 9 per cent of normal, respectively PELLY BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Ross River 15 5 Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun MONTHLY PRECIP No precipitation data was reported for October to December 217. Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

13 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) PELLY RIVER BELOW VANGORDA CREEK AVERAGE FLOW ('72-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

14 percent of normal millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Stewart River watershed are below normal for ch 1. Values of snow water equivalent range from 53 per cent of normal at o Airport A to 82 per cent of normal at Calumet. A basinwide average has been estimated to be 74 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the watershed was 12 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 8 and 85 per cent of normal, respectively. STEWART BASIN 3 25 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL o 15 5 Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

15 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) STEWART RIVER AT THE MOUTH AVERAGE FLOW ('51-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

16 percent of normal millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Carmacks area are varied for ch 1. Values of snow water equivalent range from 87 per cent of normal at Williams Creek to 131 per cent of normal at MacIntosh. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 11 per cent of normal. 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 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Carmacks 15 5 Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

17 percent of normal millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Dawson area just below normal for ch 1. Values of snow water equivalent range from 77 per cent of normal at Grizzly Creek to 111 per cent of normal at Midnight Dome. An area-wide average has been estimated to be 93 per cent of normal. LOWER YUKON BASIN 3 25 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Dawson 15 5 Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

18 percent of normal millimetres of water Snowpack conditions within the Liard River watershed are below normal as of ch 1. Values of snow water equivalent range from 72 per cent of normal at Frances River to 96 per cent of normal at Tintina Airport. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 84 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the Liard River upstream of Upper Liard was 92 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. LIARD BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 5 LOWER THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Watson Lake 15 5 Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

19 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) LIARD RIVER AT UPPER CROSSING AVERAGE FLOW ('6-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

20 percent of normal millimetres of water Snowpack conditions within the Alsek River watershed are normal for ch 1based on the basin snow courses. Values of snow water equivalent range from 99 per cent of normal at Alder Creek to 11 per cent of normal at Canyon Lake. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be per cent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for February at the Alsek River above Bates River was 128 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 95 and 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 218 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Haines Junction Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch 218 2

21 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) ALSEK RIVER ABOVE BATES RIVER AVERAGE FLOW ('74-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

22 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Peel River watershed, although variable, are below normal for ch 1 with values of snow water equivalent ranging from 84 per cent of normal at Blackstone River to 98 per cent of normal at Ogilvie River. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 9 per cent of normal. Mean monthly streamflow for April, as indicated by the Peel River above Canyon Creek station, was 136 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 13 and 135 per cent of normal, respectively. PEEL BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PEEL RIVER ABOVE CANYON CREEK AVERAGE FLOW ('61-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

23 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water Snowpack conditions in the Porcupine River watershed are above normal for ch 1 with values ranging from 18 per cent of normal at Old Crow to 152 per cent of normal at Eagle Plains. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 137 per cent of normal. Mean February streamflow for the basin, as indicated by the Porcupine River near the International Border, was 123 per cent of normal. There is no flow forecast available for ch 1. PORCUPINE BASIN 25 GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 15 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 218 PORCUPINE RIVER NEAR INTERNATIONAL BORDER AVERAGE FLOW ('86-'17) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

24 For Sample Date: Name Number Elevation (m) Date of survey This year snow depth (cm) Water content (mm) Last year (mm) Water content average Alsek River Basin Canyon Lake 8AA-SC Alder Creek 8AA-SC Aishihik Lake 8AA-SC E 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 N.S Morley Lake 9AE-SC Mount Berdoe 9AH-SC Satasha Lake 9AH-SC N.S Williams Creek 9AH-SC N.S Twin Creeks B 9BA-SC2B N.S. 145 E 41 Hoole River 9BA-SC N.S Burns Lake 9BA-SC N.S Finlayson Airstrip 9BA-SC Fuller Lake 9BB-SC N.S Russell Lake 9BB-SC N.S Rose Creek 9BC-SC Mount Nansen 9CA-SC N.S MacIntosh 9CA-SC N.S Burwash Airstrip 9CA-SC Beaver Creek 9CB-SC Chair Mountain 9CB-SC E Casino Creek 9CD-SC N.S Pelly Farm 9CD-SC Plata Airstrip 9DA-SC N.S Withers Lake 9DB-SC N.S Rackla Lake 9DB-SC N.S o Airport A 9DC-SC1A Years of record Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

25 For Sample Date: Name Number Elevation (m) Date of survey This year snow depth (cm) Water content (mm) Last year (mm) Water content average Yukon River Basin o Airport B 9DC-SC1B Edwards Lake 9DC-SC N.S Calumet 9DD-SC King Solomon Dome 9EA-SC Grizzly Creek 9EA-SC Midnight Dome 9EB-SC Boundary (Alaska) 9EC-SC2 5 No survey Porcupine River Basin Riff's Ridge 9FA-SC Eagle Plains 9FB-SC Eagle River 9FB-SC Old Crow 9FD-SC E N.S Liard River Basin Watson Lake Airport 1AA-SC Tintina Airstrip 1AA-SC N.S Pine Lake Airstrip 1AA-SC Ford Lake 1AA-SC N.S Frances River 1AB-SC Hyland River 1AD-SC Peel River Basin Blackstone River 1MA-SC Ogilvie River 1MA-SC Bonnet Plume Lake 1MB-SC N.S Alaska Snow Courses Eaglecrest 8AK-SC Moore Creek Bridge 8AK-SC Years of record Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

26 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 B 9BA-SC2B 9 62 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 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 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 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 Midnight Dome 9EB-SC o4' 139o24' 2 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast 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 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 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' 9 Alaska Snow Courses Eaglecrest 8AK-SC o 17' 134 o 32' 4 Moore Creek Bridge 8AK-SC o 31' 135 o 15' 4 Boundary 9EC-SC o 5' 141 o 27' 4 Numbers refer to agencies cooperating in the Yukon snow survey: 1. Yukon Department of Environment 2. Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources 3. British Columbia Ministry of Environment 4. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 5. Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works 6. Parks Canada 7. Yukon Energy Corp. 8. Private Contract 9. North Yukon Renewable Resource Council 1. Inactive Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch

28 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast ch