Yukon Energy talks water mitigation with Southern Lakes residents

Yukon Energy, the primary generator of electricity for the territory, is planning to meet one on one with residents in the Southern Lakes region about plans to raise water levels in the area.

The corporation wants to hold back water in the lake system in the fall, with an eye on generating more electricity through the Whitehorse dam in the winter. According to Yukon Energy, the changes would raise water levels by about 30 centimetres for 4 to 6 weeks each year.

Many Southern Lakes residents oppose the idea, saying they'll see groundwater or erosion impacts if the project goes ahead.

Andrew Hall, the president of Yukon Energy, says the corporation will meet with residents to examine options for mitigation.

"If we don't go forward for those residents that see erosion today, you know, what are their options?" asks Hall.

"We know some residents have spent their own money to put their own shoreline protection in place, but we believe we can offer: A, at our own cost, but B, a much better, thoroughly designed solution."

Low water levels in a territory's hydroelectric system have been a focus in the Northwest Territories, where low levels in the Snare hydro system caused the government to borrow $20 million this fall to offset price rate hikes. 

Yukon Energy currently uses backup generators to help supply energy in the winter, but according to Hall, putting in measures to increase winter water levels in Southern Lakes could save Yukon Energy approximately $2.3 million annually in fuel costs. Hall estimates the cost of erosion and drainage work to prepare the area and affected properties for the project would be about $5 million.

"What we would do is build structures along the shoreline, to protect the shorelines from future erosion," says Hall, "and we would look at protecting folks' basements and other sub-surface structures from further impact."

Hall says the corporation's proposal offers homeowners a solution to the impacts of climate change, which he says is already impacting the area's shoreline.

He also says that water levels in the Southern Lakes watershed have been at levels proposed by Yukon Energy during the summer months a number of times, when they're "controlled by Mother Nature." 

The project still has to undergo an environmental assessment and must also win the support of area First Nations. Yukon Energy hopes the plans to hold back water in the lake system will be permitted by the fall of 2017.