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Flood warning issued for Southern Lakes

Tuesday, 29 June 2021 13:17

By Dylan MacNeil

Tagish Lake (Photo: flickr.com Richard Martin)

Hot weather has made for fast snowmelt.

A flood warning has been issued for Bennet Lake, Tagish Lake, and Marsh Lake. They have all exceeded the 10-year return period level and are continuing to rise. All three lakes have rose 10 centimeters or more in the last 24 hours. Bennet Lake, Tagish Lake, and Marsh Lake are less than 45, 50, and 60 centimeters respectively, away from the 2007 peak. Water levels near or above that peak are likely and could be reached by this weekend.

The snowpack in the Upper Yukon River Basin was historically high at 196 percent of normal on April 1. A cold spring resulted in delayed melt and 215 percent of normal snowpack on May 1. While much of the snowpack has melted, snow remains in the higher elevation headwaters that continues to contribute to the Southern Lakes.

Hot weather over the past few days has made for faster snowmelt in the headwaters of the Southern Lakes, pushing already historically high inputs even higher. Current forecasts show that there could be a break in the heat this Wednesday with a chance of showers, but it is expected to return to above seasonal temperatures by the end of the week. Continued rapid snowmelt is expected. As the snowpack depletes, rates of rise are expected to decrease, assuming there is minimal precipitation.

Flood prone property owners are advised to have a plan in place in the event of a flood.

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