KLONDIKE VALLEY BREAKUP UPDATES 2026

Where to find information:

Web: 

https://flood-atlas.service.yukon.ca/

yukon.ca/emergencies 

Phone: For urgent assistance: Call 9-1-1

Radio: CFYT 106.9 FM.  During emergencies, a summary is broadcast on 105.5 FM in Dawson and the Klondike Valley.

In Person: Info board on Front Street

Dawson-based Citizens can access some helpful information on flood preparation, emergency resources, and a guide to various advisories issued by Yukon Protective Services. Download our resource kit here. 

2026 Season

Klondike Region Breakup Update

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group, which includes the City of
Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.

• The Lower Yukon River remains under a Flood Watch. The ice jam has released, and water
levels are currently dropping. Crews are monitoring the situation, and you are currently not being
asked to evacuate.

• Be prepared to leave on short notice. Residents are advised to move to higher ground if
necessary. Ensure your emergency kit is ready.

• If water levels overtop the dyke and flood town, an Alert Ready notification and community sirens
will be activated.

• If you need immediate assistance, call 9-1-1.

• Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you
should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit

www.PreparedYukon.ca

 


Thursday May 7, 2026

Klondike Region Breakup Update

This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group including City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.
*Citizens with concerns about flood risks can call our Citizen Information Line at (867)993-3125*
A Flood Watch is now in effect for the Lower Yukon River as water levels continue to rise near Dawson. The Klondike River remains under a Flood Warning due to ice jams and active flooding near Henderson Corner.
An Evacuation Alert remains in place for the Klondike Valley from Henderson Corner through Rock Creek to the TH Farm, including homes on both sides of the highway and the airport long-term parking lot. Residents should be prepared to leave on short notice.
Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit www.PreparedYukon.ca.The Flood Hub has daily updates on current river conditions and ice jam impacts: floods.service.yukon.ca
For the latest road conditions, check 511yukon.ca

Wednesday May 6, 2026

Klondike Region Breakup Update

This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group including City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.

  • The Klondike River remains under a Flood Warning. This means river levels have exceeded or will exceed banks very soon. Ice jamming at Henderson Corner is causing flooding. The ice jams could move and affect places downstream. Crews are on site responding.
  • An Evacuation Alert remains in place for Klondike Valley from Henderson Corner through Rock Creek to the TH Farm, including all residences on both sides of the highway, and the airport long-term parking lot. If you are in this area, be prepared to leave on short notice.
  • Note that the AlertReady system will be tested at 1:55 pm today. This test is not related to the Klondike.
  • Power has been temporarily disconnected for some customers in the Henderson Corner area to ensure safety. If you see a downed power line, stay back and call Yukon Energy immediately (1-800-676-2843).
  • Sand and sandbags are available at C4, the Mammoth Statue on Front St., and Klondike Valley Fire Department. Please help yourself or fill sandbags for your neighbours.
  • If you need assistance, call 9-1-1.
  • The Lower Yukon River – Dawson Region remains under an Ice Advisory. The Flood Hub has daily updates on current river conditions and ice jam impacts: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/
  • Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit PreparedYukon.ca.
  • For the latest road conditions, check 511 (511yukon.ca).
  • The next update will be shared Thursday, May 7. Updates are shared:

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2026, 1:20 PM
*KLONDIKE REGION BREAKUP UPDATE*

This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group including City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.

· The Klondike River is now under a Flood Warning. This means river levels have exceeded or will exceed banks very soon. Several ice jams at Henderson Corner are causing flooding. The ice jams could move and affect places downstream. Crews are on site responding.

· An Evacuation Alert is in place for Klondike Valley from Henderson Corner through Rock Creek to the TH Farm, including all residences on both sides of the highway, and the airport long-term parking lot. If you are in this area, be prepared to leave on short notice.

· Power has been temporarily disconnected for some customers in the Henderson Corner area to ensure safety. If you see a downed power line, stay back and call Yukon Energy immediately (1-800-676-2843).

· Sand and sandbags are available at C4, the Mammoth Statue on Front St., and Klondike Valley Fire Department. Please help yourself or fill sandbags for your neighbours.

· If you need assistance, call 9-1-1.

· The Lower Yukon River – Dawson Region remains under an Ice Advisory. The Flood Hub has daily updates on current river conditions and ice jam impacts: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/

· Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit www.PreparedYukon.ca. · For the latest road conditions, check 511 (www.511yukon.ca).

· The next update will be shared Wednesday, May 6. Updates are shared:
www.Yukon.ca/emergencies, www.CityofDawson.ca, www.Trondek.ca
Radio:106.9 FM CFYT in Dawson, 105.5 FM in the Klondike Valley
Info Board on Front Street (across from the General Store)


TUESDAY MAY 5, 2026
*KLONDIKE REGION BREAKUP UPDATE*

Name of advisory: Klondike River Breakup

Type of advisory: Flood Warning

Current conditions: There are now multiple ice jams at Henderson’s Corner. The upper jam is larger and is causing backwater flooding at several properties. The ice jam at the Dempster Highway bridge has compacted and the head has moved several hundred meters downstream of the bridge. There is no longer localized flooding at the Dempster-Klondike Hwy junction. The Klondike River is open from Rock Creek to the mouth.

Weather forecast: A high of 16 is expected today with a chance of showers.

Water level forecast: If the upper Henderson’s Corner jam releases first, it is expected to mobilize the lower jam. However, the possibility remains for it to recompact and flood other properties. When these jams release and move blow Henderson’s they may stall at typical choke points like Rock Creek and the TH farm and generate high water levels and flooding, but they are not expected to be persistent. The ice jam below the Dempster Highway bridge may continue compacting but it is restrained by large ice sheets. The sequence of release is not possible to predict. However, should the upstream jams combine with the Henderson’s there is the possibility of one large ice front moving downstream that could re-jam and cause flooding elsewhere. A temporary rise in water levels will accompany the ice runs.

Flood Advisory Definitions:

Ice Advisory: River ice is changing or expected to change. Ice may melt, break or move; large pieces of ice may be flowing in the river. River levels can change very rapidly. Changing ice conditions may cause isolated flooding in low-lying areas.

High Streamflow or Water Advisory: Lake levels or river flows or levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

Flood Watch: Rivers or lake levels are rising and will approach or may exceed banks. Areas beside affected rivers and lakes may flood.

Flood Warning: River or lake levels have exceeded or will exceed banks or flood stage very soon. Areas beside affected rivers and lakes will flood.

Contacts:

For flood response, contact the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization at 867-667-5220 or emo.yukon@yukon.ca. In an emergency, phone 9-1-1.

To share ice and water level observations, contact Water Science and Stewardship at waterlevels@yukon.ca.

The complete advisory has been published in the Flood Hub, which can be accessed by following this link: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/


MONDAY MAY 4, 2026
*KLONDIKE REGION BREAKUP UPDATE*
* Citizen with concerns about flood risks can call our Citizen Information Line at (867)993-3125 *
This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group including City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.
> The Klondike River is now under a Flood Watch. This means river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed banks. Areas beside the river may flood.
> The Lower Yukon River – Dawson Region remains under an Ice Advisory. An Ice Advisory means: river ice is changing or expected to change. Ice may melt, break or move; large pieces of ice may be flowing in the river. River levels can change very rapidly. Changing ice conditions may cause isolated flooding in low-lying areas.
> The Flood Hub has daily updates on current river conditions and ice jam impacts: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/
> Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit www.PreparedYukon.ca or pick up more information at your fire hall.
> Sand and sandbags are available at C4, the Mammoth Statue on Front St., and Klondike Valley Fire Department. Please help yourself.
> If you need assistance, call 9-1-1.
> For the latest road conditions, check 511 (www.511yukon.ca).
The next update will be shared Tuesday, May 5. Updates are shared here and on www.Yukon.ca/emergencies, www.CityofDawson.ca, www.Trondek.ca, Radio:106.9 FM CFYT in Dawson, 105.5 FM in the Klondike Valley, and the Info Board on Front Street (across from the General Store)

FRIDAY MAY 1, 2026
*KLONDIKE REGION BREAKUP UPDATE*
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Ice Advisory for Lower Yukon River at Dawson:
An Ice Advisory was issued for the Lower Yukon River on May 1, 2026.
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The Yukon River ice cover is currently competent but is showing increasing saturation and degradation throughout the reach from the mouth of the Stewart River to the Alaska border. The ice cover along shorelines is weakening in most areas, and sections of open water are forming along south-facing slopes. Water levels at Dawson have been gradually rising. Water levels and flows are rising in large tributaries such as the Stewart River, reflecting increasing snowmelt contributions.
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Water Level Forecast:
Snowmelt runoff is expected to continue increasing as temperatures remain warm and overnight freezing becomes limited. Ice is expected to begin shifting on larger tributaries over the weekend, increasing pressure on the Yukon River ice cover early next week. A significant snowpack remains on the ground across the basin, with the potential to increase flows substantially.
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Safety:
Stay off the ice. Stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks. Flood-prone property owners should have a flood plan in place in the event of a flood. See www.PreparedYukon.ca for more information about preparing for floods. We will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions change.
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Read advisories on the Flood Hub, which also has daily updates to current water conditions: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/
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THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2026
*KLONDIKE REGION BREAKUP UPDATE*
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Klondike River Breakup Update April 28, 2026 – ICE ADVISORY ISSUED
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This is an update from the Dawson Emergency Control Group including City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Government of Yukon response agencies.
The Klondike River is under an Ice Advisory.
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An Ice Advisory means: river ice is changing or expected to change. Ice may melt, break or move; large pieces of ice may be flowing in the river. River levels can change very rapidly. Changing ice conditions may cause isolated flooding in low-lying areas. As breakup continues, the Ice Advisory may be upgraded to a Flood Watch or Flood Warning.
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Sand and sandbags are available at the Mammoth Statue (across from the Commissioner’s Residence on Front St.) please help yourself.
Stay clear of riverbanks and stay off the ice. If you live near water, or in a flood-prone area, you should prepare to deal with flooding on your property. To learn about preparing for floods, visit www.PreparedYukon.ca or pick up more information at your local fire hall.
Read advisories on the Flood Hub, which also has daily updates to current water conditions: https://floods.service.yukon.ca/
Information will be shared:
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An update will be provided by Friday, May 1st, or earlier, if needed.