Hazard mapping in Yukon communities

This project mapped hazard risks for Yukon communities. Hazard maps serve as an adaptation planning tool that can support responsible, forward-looking decisions related to climate change impacts on communities.

Project Overview

The maps integrated the landscape hazards related to permafrost, surficial geology and hydrology in Yukon communities. They also considered potential future risk in response to changes in climate.

The work was accomplished by gathering and mapping geoscience data in Yukon study communities, including information about local climate, geology, permafrost, and hydrology. Projections of future climate variability for each study community were used to identify potential future trajectories of change.

The project team used the geoscience data to rank hazard risks in a study community, and created a map showing hazard risks using stoplight colours. By incorporating projections of future climate variability, hazard maps reflected both current and potential-future conditions.

Hazard maps can be used by communities and First Nations as part of the adaptation planning process, and are also useful for engineers, planners, consultants, and all levels of governmental and non-governmental decision-makers. 

Hazard maps have been completed for:

  • Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay
  • Mayo
  • Pelly Crossing
  • Ross River
  • Faro
  • Dawson City
  • Old Crow

 

Project Team

Project Lead:

Surficial geology team:

  • Kristen Kennedy, Panya Lipovsky and Jeff Bond, Yukon Geological Survey, Energy Mines and Resources, Yukon Government

Permafrost team:

Hydrology team:

  • Dr. Ian Clark, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa
Collaboration
Partners

First Nations:

  • First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun
  • Kluane First Nation
  • Ross River Dena Council
  • Selkirk First Nation
  • Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation
  • Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation

Municipal governments:

  • City of Dawson
  • Town of Faro
  • Town of Mayo

Research Partners:

  • Yukon Geological Survey, Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon Government
  • University of Montreal
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Alberta
Funders

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, with in-kind support from project partners and collaborators.

Resources & Publications

Permafrost and Hazard Atlas
 

Burwash Landing

Dawson City

Faro

Old Crow

Pelly Crossing

Ross River

Mayo

Other