The City of Whitehorse is getting ready for the upcoming spring freshet season and the potential risk of landslides in the downtown area. Officials highlight similarities between this year’s snowpack and the conditions in 2022, which led to road closures and endangered homes along Robert Service Way.
Robert Dickson, the City of Whitehorse’s engineering services manager, points out that areas at risk stretch from Takhini through Robert Service Way to the south access road. While assuring residents of minimal impact on airport operations, Dickson notes the slow melt rate so far but warns of potential debris movement on bare sections of the escarpment with rising temperatures.
To enhance monitoring efforts, the city team has deployed additional sensors along the escarpment and increased geotechnical inspections. Emergency manager Ursula Geisler emphasizes the importance of preparedness, advising residents in high- and moderate-risk zones to have a 72-hour emergency kit ready and a contingency plan for evacuation.
Information dissemination will be through various channels, including local radio broadcasts, social media updates, and the Yukon Government’s Alert Ready system. Geisler mentions door-to-door notifications and collaboration with partner agencies to assist evacuees during emergencies.
While addressing immediate threats, the city is also exploring long-term solutions, having received $45 million in federal funding in 2024 for slope stabilization efforts. Proposals under consideration include reshaping the escarpment for increased resilience and promoting vegetative growth to stabilize the soil. Past precautions near Robert Service Way involve the installation of concrete slabs and gates for road closure during high landslide risk periods.