SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Unusually low water levels put a stop to the Merv Hardie ferry Wednesday afternoon.

The ferry, which crosses the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence carrying vehicles, including the heavy commercial truckloads that supply Yellowknife grocers, normally runs until January when the ice road is built.

The Merv Hardie ferry shut down on Wednesday due to low water levels. The Department of Transportation hopes the ferry will return to limited services today during daylight hours. - NNSL file photo Closures and Openings 2009/10 Jan. 21 2008/09 Jan. 26 2007/08 Jan. 18 2006/07 Jan. 22 2005/06 Feb. 2 2004/05 Jan. 6 Ice road openings 2009/10 Jan. 4 2008/09 Jan. 5 2007/08 Dec. 16 2006/07 Dec. 8 2005/06 Jan. 17 2004/05 Dec. 6

Earl Blacklock, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said because the ferry's operations depend on the rebounding of the river's water levels, it's hard to pinpoint when it will be back in service, although it's possible it could resume limited service today but during daylight hours only.

For the ferry to run, the Mackenzie River needs water levels of at least 150 metres above sea level. On Thursday, the water level was at 149.65 metres.

"The rapid drop in temperature caused freeze-up up river and that brought the water level dramatically down," Blacklock said yesterday. "When the water levels recover then we're going to be able to start up again unless we freeze, in which case we'll have to open a channel."

On average the ferry shuts down once a year either because of low water levels or because the river freezes, said Blacklock.

The $182 million Deh Cho Bridge, which will span the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence, is scheduled to be complete next year.

Luc Nguyen, owner and manager of Kim's Confectionery on Franklin Avenue, said depending on the length of the ferry stoppage, groceries will have to be flown in by helicopter.

Ben Walker, general manager of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, said, "you're never prepared for the ferry to go out in the fall. In the spring, we know it's coming. We have a date. We set it and we prepare for it."

On Thursday, the Co-op had a truck heading to the ferry. Walker said if the ferry isn't open when it arrives, the driver will head back to Hay River, where the food will be put on a plane.

"We respond pretty quick," he said, pointing out that people usually flock to the store when the ferry stops running. "If we can't respond quick, people will rush in (because) they think that we can't do it."

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