Flood watch advisories now cover the Yukon River near Dawson City and the Nordenskiold River in Carmacks as water levels climb steadily.
These watches signal rising river levels that could soon overflow banks, prompting potential upgrades to flood warnings.
Dawson City Faces Heightened Risk from Ice Jam
A major ice jam downstream from Dawson City, stretching eight kilometers after expanding overnight, drives the rapid rise in Yukon River levels. More ice flowing downriver continues to fuel the backup.
Current water levels approach the 1998 peak—the second-highest recorded since 1979 during spring breakup. Flooding has reached the Moosehide site, while high water threatens Dawson City.
This alert coincides with an ongoing flood warning for the nearby Klondike River at Henderson’s Corner, where evacuation alerts affect some residents.
Officials caution that predicting exact rises remains challenging amid ongoing breakup. A jam release might trigger a short-lived surge, yet river-side assets beyond the dike stay vulnerable regardless.
Carmacks Sees Rapid Snowmelt Spike
Warm weather accelerated snowmelt, pushing Nordenskiold River levels up sharply over 48 hours and prompting Wednesday’s advisory. Thursday reports note a slight decline from overnight peaks.
Cooler conditions ahead should temper further rises, with overnight temperatures dipping below freezing.
Pelly River Jams Resolve with Minimal Damage
Ice jams on the Pelly River below Ross River and at Pelly Crossing broke free overnight Wednesday. Temporary flooding hit Ross River’s ferry landing and waterfront but receded by Thursday.
