Fort Providence (Oct 20/06) - The Department of Transportation said it isn't sure why the Merv Hardie ferry in Fort Providence bottomed-out during a routine crossing Oct. 10, but said the Mackenzie River water levels are low.

Bob Kelly, a department spokesperson, said the circumstances being analyzed.

"An investigation is ongoing," he said.

The ferry was temporarily taken out of the water that afternoon when a small water leak was noticed coming from a three-inch fracture in the hull.

Workers made temporary repairs to the Merv Hardie and put it back in the water Tuesday evening.

The repairs took longer to do because there was some damage to the ferry's rudder brackets, as well.

Permanent repairs were made after midnight when the crossing closed for the day.

Kelly said there is no estimate on the total cost of repairing the damage as of yet.

Derek Forsbloom, the NWT hydrologic services supervisor for the Water Survey of Canada, said water levels always drop during fall when ice forms in water that feeds the rivers and lakes.

"It's seasonably lower for sure, but it's also lower than average," said Forsbloom.

He said water levels in Great Slave Lake, which feeds the Mackenzie River, have been lower than normal, along with the Slave River in Fort Smith.

Forsbloom said the water levels are low, but not as bad as they were two years ago.

As of Oct 12. Great Slave Lake's surface elevation was about 156.3 metres above sea level.

A dry summer could also be a factor, he said.

But the levels may be on their way up.

Water levels fluctuate all the time due to weather and other factors, Forsbloom explained. Those variations would affect levels on Great Slave Lake, and therefore the Mackenzie River, as well, he said.

Kelly said ferry delays because of mechanical or structural problems are rare.

"It's more weather related," he said.