January snowfall in Yellowknife nipping at record levels
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 12/01) - You can throw it, lick it, build castles with it and curse it: snow. What you, or the city, can't do is get the white stuff off roads and sidewalks fast enough.
Snow levels are at record highs this year.
Environment Canada says the generous dump on Jan. 3 ranks as the third-largest single snowfall in Yellowknife since March 10, 1997.
Temperatures are less remarkable, although warmish days are creeping in.
Mother Nature's sprinklings are effecting city snow clearing and removal.
"We're doing the best we can but you'll see remnants of snowbanks around," said public works manager Greg Kehoe.
Complaint areas include the downtown core, especially around parking metres on Franklin Ave.
"Some people have to jump over (mini snow banks) to get to the sidewalk, and we're sorry," he said.
Staff are working overtime and on weekends to fix problem areas.
Excellent, as long as pay cheques reflect the additional hours.
"I'd say this is the biggest snowfall in two years and it's a concern we might go over budget," Kehoe said.
Kehoe reported his concerns at last week's council meeting.
Employees driving sanders, graders, loaders and dump trucks are doing the best they can with the resources they have, he said.
Anthony "Snow King" Foliot said blame him for the excess white stuff.
The reputed snow castle artist said he recently requested additional fluffy flakes from Old Man Winter.
"If you're going to blame anyone, blame me," he said.
"But it makes lovely white blocks which hopefully means a bigger castle this year and more snow left over for sculpting."
Skiers and snowmobiliers are happily bouncing across lakes and fields, cutting into knee deep powder.
Leo Rivet, a self-proclaimed 'Ski-Doo-guy' can't get enough.
"You can go anywhere and not worry about hitting rocks or hazards," he said enthusiastically.
"It's excellent, awesome even. The more snow the better."
