With the snow piling up, so are the concerns of the Yukon Party (YP) over potential flooding this spring and summer.

In a news release issued Monday, the YP said it’s concerned the Liberal government has not taken the lessons learned from last year’s historic flooding and begun preparing for the likelihood of another deluge this year.

“The official Opposition is calling on the Liberal government to learn from the lessons of last summer, and listen to Yukoners asking for proactive action to prepare for possible flooding again this summer after another winter of near-record snowfall,” the news release stated.

“We appreciate the hard work done by government staff, contractors, and people who volunteered to help their fellow Yukoners during the flooding last summer,” said Brad Cathers, party’s MLA for Lake Laberge.

“That effort was commendable. There are also lessons that can be learned, including that with proactive planning and action, government can be better prepared to help people minimize the impact of rising water.”

Richard Mostyn, the minister of Community Services, sees things a little differently.

He told the Star Tuesday the government’s preparations for more flooding are well underway, but that the situation is distinctly different than last year.

His department sent out a letter to residents last Sunday about the potential for flooding. He couldn’t resist noting that was a day before the YP spoke out on the issue.

Although it looks like there is a lot of snow – and, in fact, the snowfall has been nearly record-breaking this year – the majority of it is concentrated in lowland areas where it’s very obvious to the public, he said.

The alpine areas, though, have seen distinctly less snow, especially compared to last year, Mostyn said, referring to the numbers collected by government hydrologists. That’s why there haven’t been nearly as many avalanches this winter.

He said the lowland snowpack is approximately 120 per cent above normal.

That could change before the winter is over, he said, but that considerably reduces the chances of high-elevation meltwater contributing as much runoff as in 2021.

“We’re well-prepared for floods this year,” Mostyn said. “We’ve taken all the lessons learned from last year and we’re getting ready.”

He said the government still has “hundreds of thousands” of sandbags left over from last year. Many of the berms built in the Southern Lakes are still in place as well, providing a head start on deflecting high waters.

Mostyn also said he’s preparing to meet with military officials in case their assistance is needed again.

As well, Yukon Energy has a plan in place to draw down Marsh Lake and provide extra power as a control measure against high water.

According to the YP, “Last summer, Yukoners came together in July and August to help people affected by historical flooding in the Southern Lakes and Lake Laberge areas.

“There were at times serious gaps in co-ordination of resources by government, as well as a lack of proactive action, leading to a lack of necessary help for some local residents when the water level rose,” the YP alleged.

“We have a number of recommendations for the government based on listening to Yukoners,” said Cathers. “They include government investing in road improvements early in the summer, sandbag and groundwork preparation, as well as better communications and co-ordination.”

The Yukon Party is calling for the Liberals to identify government infrastructure that would benefit from improvements before the water levels rise significantly.

This should include raising the level of Jackfish Bay Road, and improvements to South McClintock Road.

Secondly, government should secure an area in Whitehorse where residents would be able to show up and fill sandbags to ship where needed.

Several Whitehorse residents and businesses indicated they would have liked to help fill sandbags, but could not get out to the designated areas at Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge.

Citizens were at times in urgent need of basics of flood preparation such as sandbags and sand, even as water threatened some homes.

In addition, completion of preventative groundwork at both Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge should happen in advance of potential flooding.

“Southern Yukon is experiencing another winter of near-record snowfall in some areas,” said Cathers.

“We are urging the Liberal government to direct Community Services, Highways and Public Works, and other appropriate departments to begin preparing alongside residents for what is likely to be another summer of flooding.

“We hope this includes having the appropriate number of sandbags at the ready, a plan to fill those sandbags, and a better plan for communications and co-ordination.”

NDP Leader Kate White said, “I think last year was a lesson to be learned.

“I think the more information we have ahead of time, the better. That’s why I’d like to hear from the chief hydrologist.”

Mostyn provided the letter sent out to property owners in flood-prone areas, and has scheduled an information meeting with them.

He provided the information to the Star. Excerpts follow below:

“As part of the Government of Yukon’s ongoing response and recovery to last year’s unprecedented water levels, the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization continues to co-ordinate a variety of flood recovery initiatives.

“The Flood Recovery Working Group would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the recovery work and the flood preparedness activities that are well underway,” the information says.

“This letter and attached information are intended to provide residents an update on that work, and on what is planned over the coming months.”

The public information meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Feb. 23.

The letter went on to say, “The Flood Recovery Working Group is leading a variety of recovery initiatives for communities impacted by the 2021 floods.

“These efforts focus on demobilization and clean-up from the 2021 flood event, bolstering the Yukon’s flood preparation through community preparedness, increasing future response capabilities, and offering longer-term mitigation options for communities to consider.

“Our goal is to support communities and residents to become more flood-resilient in the face of a changing climate.”

The berms in Marsh Lake, Carcross, and Tagish have been left in place in case they are required in 2022, the letter points out.

“We will be taking the approach of either demobilizing and cleaning up these berms, or bolstering and reinforcing these berms depending on the flood forecast later this spring and summer.

“We have engineers hired to recommend how either of these options will be accomplished, and we will be ready to action these recommendations when the situation has become clear. “

A study analyzing options for longer-term or permanent flood mitigation measures in the Marsh Lake region is almost finished, residents are told.

“These options will be presented to the community this spring, and we look forward to working with your community to consider proposed options.”

The letter adds, “We know that you are likely watching this year’s snowpack with interest. In addition to the territory-wide snow surveys that occur annually on March, April and May 1, Yukon government hydrologists have conducted a February snow survey for the Upper Yukon River Basin, which includes the headwaters of the southern lakes.

“In short, while the survey results indicate current snowpack levels in the Southern Lakes basin are slightly higher than average, they are well below 2020-2021 levels. It is still too early to provide an accurate flood forecast for this year.”

Ultimately, precipitation over the next two months will determine the peak snowpack – which is typically reflected in the April 1 snow survey – and influence flood potential, the letter says.

“It’s also important to bear in mind that peak water level in the Southern Lakes is only partly connected to snowpack levels. Timing and speed of the spring snow melt, summer temperatures, and summer precipitation events are also critical factors that influence flooding potential.”