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, 216 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 April 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 subbasins 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 David Barrett Hydrology Technologist Hydrology Technologist (867) (867) jonathan.kolot@gov.yk.ca david.barrett@gov.yk.ca Richard owicz Manager, Hydrology (867) 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 216 There were no water network changes in 216. 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

3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast is published three times annually: after April 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 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

4 YUKON TERRITORY SNOWPACK CONDITIONS AND RUNOFF PROJECTION WEATHER The first half of April was dominated by a series of upper ridges that brought warm and predominantly dry air to the territory. Due to the warm weather, much of the precipitation in southern and central Yukon fell as rain and the first lightning strikes were recorded mid-month, two to three weeks earlier than normal. The latter half of the month was dominated by a series of upper troughs that brought cool, unstable air along with rain and snow showers to most areas. All stations reported above-normal temperatures for the month. West-central Yukon reported above-normal precipitation in what is typically the driest month of the year and southeast Yukon reported approximately half of normal precipitation. SNOWPACK The 1 st snowpack was predominantly below normal across the Yukon. Snowpack values ranged from well below normal in southeastern and southwestern Yukon to below normal in central regions and near normal in northern regions. STREAMFLOW Streamflow conditions throughout the Yukon are generally above normal with the exception of the upper Yukon River which is normal. The Stewart, Pelly, Alsek, Peel, Liard and Porcupine Rivers are all well above normal for this time of year. This is largely due to the early arrival of spring runoff combined with late winter baseflow.

8 millimetres of water YUKON RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Yukon River basin range from below normal in the northern portion of the basin to well below normal in southwestern regions. Overall conditions for the Yukon River basin are below normal. UPPER YUKON RIVER SUBBASIN (SOUTHERN LAKES) Snowpack conditions in the upper Yukon River watershed are well below normal. Values range from no snow at Atlin and Montana Mountain to 85 per cent of normal at Meadow Creek. The basin-wide average has been estimated to be 48 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 216

9 per cent of normal millimetres of water WHITEHORSE AREA WHITEHORSE AREA Snowpack conditions in the Whitehorse area are well below normal for April 1 st. Values range from no snow at Whitehorse Airport and Montana Mountain to 27 per cent of normal at Mt McIntyre. An area-wide average is estimated to be 14 per cent of normal. 15 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 April precipitation data at the Whitehorse Airport was not included as it was found to be problematic.

10 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Snow Water Equivalent (mm) Snow Water Equivalent Wolf Creek Research Basin Historical Max Historical Average Historical Min 1-1-Oct 31-Oct 3-3-Dec Feb Apr Jun YUKON RIVER AT WHITEHORSE AVERAGE FLOW ('4-'15) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW

11 ELEVATION (m) YUKON RIVER and MARSH LAKE The mean elevation of sh Lake during April was m or.7 m below normal. Yukon River at Whitehorse mean discharge during April was 13 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are each expected to be 8 and 75 per cent of normal, respectively. MARSH LAKE NEAR WHITEHORSE AVERAGE ELEVATION ('76-'14) MEAN MONTHLY ELEVATION

12 per cent of normal millimetres of water PELLY RIVER SUBBASIN Snowpack conditions in the Pelly River watershed are well below normal for 1 st. Values of snow water equivalent range from no snow at Hoole River to 36 per cent of normal at Twin Creeks. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 23 per cent of normal. The mean April streamflow for the watershed was above normal as indicated by the Pelly River below Vangorda Creek. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows are expected to be 8 and 75 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 No precipitation data was reported for the Ross River gauge during the winter of

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

14 per cent of normal millimetres of water STEWART RIVER SUBBASIN 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 87 per cent of normal at Calumet. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 66 per cent of normal. The mean April streamflow for the watershed was above 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 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

15 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) Snow Water Equivalent (mm) Snow Water Equivalent Withers Lake Historical Max Historical Average Historical Min 1-1-Oct 31-Oct 3-3-Dec Feb Apr Jun STEWART RIVER AT THE MOUTH AVERAGE FLOW ('64-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW

16 per cent of normal millimetres of water CENTRAL YUKON RIVER BASIN (CARMACKS AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Carmacks area are well below normal for 1 st. No snow was reported at any of six snow survey courses within the area. Although it is common for one or more sites to be free of snow by 1 st, this is the first year on record that all six stations have reported no snow on this date 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 216 PRECIPITATION - % OF NORMAL Carmacks Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun ACCUMULATED PRECIP MONTHLY PRECIP

17 per cent of normal millimetres of water LOWER YUKON RIVER BASIN (DAWSON AREA) Snowpack conditions in the Dawson area are well below normal for 1 st. No snow was reported at any of three snow survey courses within the area. Only twice previously in the historical record have all three sites been free of snow by 1 st 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

18 per cent of normal millimetres of water LIARD RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions within the Liard River watershed are well below normal. Values of snow water equivalent range from no snow at Watson Lake Airport and Hyland River to 71 per cent of normal at Tintina Airstrip. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 39 per cent of normal. Mean April streamflow for the Liard River upstream of Upper Liard was 136 per cent of normal. Given normal summer meteorological conditions, volume runoff and peak flows for the season are expected to be 75 and 8 per cent of normal, respectively LIARD BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM 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

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

20 per cent of normal millimetres of water 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 Canyon Lake and Alder Creek to 5 per cent of normal at Summit. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 32 per cent of normal ALSEK BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM Mean monthly streamflow for April as indicated by the Alsek River above Bates River was 157 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 5 and 55 per cent of normal, respectively. 3 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

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

22 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PEEL RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Peel River watershed are below normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from no snow at Blackstone to 94 per cent of normal at Ogilvie. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 48 per cent of normal Mean monthly streamflow for ch as indicated by the Peel River above Canyon Creek station was 149 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. PEEL BASIN GREATER THAN HISTORICAL MAXIMUM LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 216 PEEL RIVER ABOVE CANYON CREEK AVERAGE FLOW ('62-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW

23 DISCHARGE (m 3 /s) millimetres of water PORCUPINE RIVER BASIN Snowpack conditions in the Porcupine River watershed are slightly below normal with values of snow water equivalent ranging from no snow at Eagle River to 142 per cent of normal at Eagle Plains. A basin-wide average has been estimated to be 86 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 128 per cent of normal. There is no flow forecast available for 1 st. 5 LESS THAN HISTORICAL MINIMUM 1-1-Apr 1- Basin average snowpack based on selected snow courses Mean 216 PORCUPINE RIVER NEAR INTERNATIONAL BORDER AVERAGE FLOW ('87-'14) MEAN MONTHLY FLOW

24 Drainage Basin and Snow Course For Sample Date: 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-SC2 93 No Surv Morley Lake 9AE-SC Mount Berdoe 9AH-SC Satasha Lake 9AH-SC E 3 27 Williams Creek 9AH-SC Twin Creeks A 9BA-SC2A 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-SC2 167 No Surv 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 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 Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range

25 Drainage Basin and Snow Course For Sample Date: Name Number Elev Date of Snow Water Last Average Yrs (m) Survey Depth Content Year of (cm) (mm) (mm) (mm) Rec Porcupine River Basin Riff's Ridge 9FA-SC Eagle Plains 9FB-SC Eagle River 9FB-SC Old Crow 9FD-SC 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-SC2 7 No Surv Code "E" - Estimate, Code "B" - Survey date is outside of valid sampling range

26 INDEX OF YUKON SNOW COURSES 216 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

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

28 Location of Water Resource Snow Courses

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