Final flood hazard maps and What We Heard report for Old Crow now available

Press Release

June 05, 2025

The Government of Yukon has released final flood hazard maps for the community of Old Crow. These maps are a key tool for helping communities reduce flood risk, prepare for future events and make informed decisions in the face of a changing climate.

This mapping study began in spring 2024, with draft maps shared for public feedback from February 2 to March 3, 2025. Community input helped refine the final flood hazard maps and a What We Heard report summarizing that feedback is now available on Yukon.ca.

Yukoners and officials from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation provided feedback on the draft flood hazard maps. Most found the maps aligned with their experiences of flooding. Suggestions for improving the maps included changes to labelling for clarity and highlighting the most frequently flooded areas. Respondents emphasized the importance of accessibility, recommending printed maps and an in-person presentation to explain the findings.

In Old Crow, the maps show there is a risk of substantial flooding, even from smaller, more frequent events. This highlights the vulnerability of the community to flooding impacts and the need for ongoing planning and preparation for flood events.

This need was underscored by the most recent flooding experienced by Old Crow in May 2025. The formation of a 25-kilometre long ice jam in front of the community led to moderate flooding, affecting some homes and community infrastructure. This year’s flooding shows the importance of having up-to-date flood mapping to inform planning and emergency preparedness.

The finalized flood hazard maps can be found on the Government of Yukon’s Flood Hub.

Building climate resilience in the North means taking action today to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. Flood mapping helps communities like Old Crow plan for the future, protect their community and respond to potential flooding. We are committed to working in partnership with Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and other Indigenous governments to continue advancing this critical work across the territory.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke

Old Crow is experiencing the impacts of climate change every year. High-quality flood mapping is a vital tool for understanding and preparing for flood risks. These maps will inform important emergency planning and decision-making within the community. The Government of Yukon is committed to supporting communities, governments and responders across the territory in emergency planning and climate mitigation.

Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn

Quick facts

• Flood hazard maps are created by engineers and guide land use planning, development of regulations and flood mitigation measures such as floodwalls, levees and wetland restoration.
• Flood hazard maps for all 14 communities at risk of flooding are expected to be completed by 2028. The next communities that flood hazard maps will be developed for are Dawson and the Klondike Valley.
• Flood hazard maps are developed through detailed surveying and modelling. They show how different flooding scenarios could affect the community, providing valuable information to support emergency response, land-use planning and long-term climate adaptation.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
mara.delarosa@yukon.ca

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