Ice jams pose risk of floods in Klondike region

Emergency officials are keeping a close eye this weekend on the Klondike River, outside Dawson City. The river is choked with several ice jams, between Rock Creek and the Dempster Highway. 

Jim Regimbal, the town's fire chief, estimates there are at least five jams along that stretch of river, raising the threat of flooding.

"We're not out of the woods for sure," Regimbal says. "As much as I want to be positively optimistic, I can't at this point."

Regimbal says officials are prepared if the river does flood. He says personnel from Yukon's wildland fire department have set up a radio transmitter at the Klondike Valley fire hall, to broadcast updates to residents. 

Regimbal says the threat of flooding is made worse by snow pack in the Dawson area. While most of Yukon saw average or below average snowfall this past winter, the Klondike region saw "at least 20 per cent more."

"So even when the ice does go through, there is the potential [for flooding]. That snow has to melt, that water has to go somewhere." 

Officials are now doing daily fly-overs to monitor the Klondike River and the Yukon River.

Residents can tune in to 105.5 FM for updates from emergency personnel.