Aklavik (Oct 16/06) - It's been almost six months since Aklavik had record floods, but residents are still repairing the damage.

Ian McLeod, a renewable resource officer for the region, said volunteers recently built a new bridge near Jimmy Husky Creek.

The old bridge, which had a 51-foot metal frame, had sunk into the mud and could not be retrieved, McLeod said. Now, a wooden bridge will allow hunters and travellers to cross the creek. It will also have metal grilles to ensure steady footing.

"People couldn't get across for all this time," McLeod said Oct. 11. "It's good that it's finally fixed."

He added that volunteers had waited to build the new bridge because the trek to Jimmy Husky creek is a difficult 10km journey from town.

"There were too many puddles to cross before, and it's easier to work now since there's no bugs," he said.

While Aklavik often has small floods during thaw, this year's levels were the highest since 1992. In May, 316 residents had to leave the area because of the flood, and hamlet Mayor Knute Hansen declared a state of emergency.