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:

• Dr. Bronwyn Hancock, Associate Vice-President, Research Development, Yukon Research Centre

Surficial geology team:

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

Permafrost team:

• Louis-Philippe Roy and Dr. Fabrice Calmels, Northern Climate ExChange, Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College
• Dr. Daniel Fortier, Isabelle de Grandpre and Kate Grandmont, Department of Geography, Universite de Montreal
• Dr. Antoni Lewkowicz, Department of Geography, University of Ottawa
• Dr. Sarah Laxton, Yukon Geological Survey, Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon Government

Hydrology team:

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

Collaboration

• Yukon Government (Site Assessment and Remediation Unit, Emergency Measures Organization)
• Yukon College community campuses
• CH2M HILL
• Canadian Forest Service

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