Draft flood hazard maps for Upper Liard available for public comment

Press Release

The Government of Yukon has released draft flood hazard maps for the community of Upper Liard and invites residents, stakeholders and interested members of the public to review and provide feedback until March 2, 2026.

The draft maps identify areas of varying flood risk as part of ongoing work to better understand and mitigate flood hazards and strengthen long-term community resilience across the territory.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft flood maps online and share comments during the public engagement period. An in-person open house to present the maps and answer questions will take place February 17, from 5:30 to 7 pm, at the Watson Lake Recreation Centre.

For more information on the draft flood maps and how to participate in the engagement process, people can visit https://floods.service.yukon.ca/pages/draft-flood-maps. Public comments can be submitted online or in person at the open house event.

Understanding flood risk is essential to helping Yukon communities prepare for and reduce flood impacts. To support this, we are releasing draft flood hazard maps for Upper Liard and inviting residents to provide input so the final maps reflect local and Traditional Knowledge. Establishing flood hazard maps helps provide tools to plan and prepare for flood risk in the Upper Liard area and build resilience to flooding in the community.

Minister of Environment Wade Istchenko

Accurate flood‑hazard information is essential for emergency preparedness. These draft maps give planners, responders and residents the tools they need to build safer, stronger and more resilient communities. Local input is vital to ensure the maps reflect on‑the‑ground knowledge, address community concerns and support practical, effective flood‑risk management.

Minister of Community Services Cory Bellmore

Quick facts

• Draft flood hazard maps are developed using the best available scientific data and local information to show how different flooding scenarios could affect surrounding land and infrastructure.
• To date, flood hazard maps have been completed for seven communities, which include: Carcross, Tagish, Marsh Lake, Lake Laberge, Carmacks, Teslin and Old Crow.
• Residents and stakeholders in Upper Liard can review the maps and submit comments via the Upper Liard Flood Maps Survey.
• Feedback from the public through both online submissions and the community open house will help refine and improve the maps before they are finalized.
• Flood mapping is partially funded by Natural Resources Canada, through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
tim.kucharuk@yukon.ca

Erin Kohler
Communications, Environment
867-332-2805
erin.kohler@yukon.ca

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