Yellowknife to Dettah ice road should open at usual time, despite warm weather
15-year average for opening Dettah ice road is Dec. 21
Despite the unusually warm weather in Yellowknife, the Department of Transportation says it expects the ice road to Dettah to open around its usual time.
The department plans to prepare the approach ramps on both the Yellowknife and Dettah sides on Monday, then crews will start profiling — checking the ice conditions — with an amphibious all-terrain vehicle.
"We're going to need 20 centimetres to continue profiling," said Del Miller, the regional manager of highway operations.
"Depending on what our profile tells us, we may have enough ice out there to start plowing early next week."
Miller said the ice needs to be at least 37 centimetres thick to plough, and the ice gains about an inch of thickness every day it's below –18 C.
The 15-year average for opening the Dettah ice road has been Dec. 21; last winter the road opened on Dec. 19.