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BEAUFORT DELTA
Above-average water depths continue along rivers in the Mackenzie Delta and a recent water serge has caused significant erosion and added tonnes of extra sediment to the waterways, officials say.

A cabin floats down the Peel River near Fort McPherson July 12. It is believed the cabin was drawn into the water because of bank erosion caused by high water, which is unusual for this time of year. - photo courtesy of Brian Alexie

The most recent high water event in the Delta happened more than one week ago, when the Peel River rose to 10.1 metres on July 13 from 5.7 metres on July 11. By July 19, levels had dropped back down to 7.25 metres.

"It's one of the highest open water events that has happened in quite a few years," Roger Pilling, hydrometric supervisor with the Water Survey of Canada, Fort Simpson and Inuvik office, said.

The recent surge of water was the result of heavy rains that fell in the Yukon, said Pilling.

"A big rain event came up through the Northeastern Yukon," he said. "That's where the headwaters of the Peel River are."

This rapid increase and decrease caused a significant amount of debris to enter the waterway, including a log cabin that was observed floating down the Peel near Fort McPherson July 12.

"There was a fair bit of erosion on the banks," said Pilling. "Water in the Peel River during break-up normally gets from 10 to 14 metres, but at that time it's an ice-jam event so it's not as high a velocity and also a lot of the ground is frozen."

The high water levels have affected fishers, including those in Tsiigehtchic where the Mackenzie River has been higher than normal ever since break-up. While the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic is currently nearing normal levels, a new record high was set on June 18, when the river measured 8.5 metres deep as compared to an average of 6.5 metres that time of year.

"Potential impacts on people associated with increased water levels include navigation hazards (i.e. debris), flooding of low lying areas which may flood cabins or camping locations, bank erosion which may encroach on structures such as cabins," said Darek Faria, regional hydrologist with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development's water resources division. "Other impacts could include impacts on bridges and culverts along roadways."

The recent rise in the Peel River closed the ferry crossing at Highway 8 from July 12 to July 16. The ferry was taken out of service due to both high water levels and the increased debris, said Earl Blacklock, spokesperson for the territorial Department of Transportation.

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