Water Resources Section

The Water Resources Section administers water-related policies, regulations and programs under the Waters Act (Yukon). The water management responsibility was transferred from the federal government to the Yukon government on April 1, 2003.

Water use licences are issued by the Yukon Water Board, which has its administrative offices within the Executive Council Office. The Board issues water use licences for quartz and placer mining, hydropower generation, municipal use, agriculture, conservation, recreation and several miscellaneous projects such as culvert installation.

The Yukon Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for drinking water quality in the Yukon.

The Water Resources Section operates a network of water quality and water quantity stations around the territory to monitor, research and record the Yukon’s water resources. The Section also examines engineering, hydrologic and geotechnical parameters of major new proposals.

The Section, under the Canada-Yukon Water Monitoring Agreement, monitors water quantity with the Water Survey of Canada and provides Yukon government representation to the Yukon-Alsek River Basins Committee and the MacKenzie River Basin Agreement (Transboundary Agreements).

The Hydrology Section manages a hydrometric monitoring network to conduct snow surveys, provide flow forecasting, monitor lake and flow levels and provide advice and predictions to industry.

The Water Quality Section operates a small analytical and license audit lab to conduct water sampling for license audits, to assess water quality and to support environmental assessments.

Environmental Assessment and Planning Section develops the branch’s operational policies, manages water licence security deposits, conducts environmental assessments for water licence applications and designs and co-ordinates water studies as required.

The Water Inspections Section ensures the compliance and enforcement of the Waters Act (Yukon).

Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast 
May 1, 2006 (PDF 1.0 MB)

1975-2004 Report Hydrometric Resources (PDF 3.6 MB)

Summary of Yukon Water Wells (PDF 260 KB)

Our Whitehorse offices are located in Room 310 in the Elijah Smith Building, 300 Main Street.

Our mailing address is:
Water Resources Section
Department of Environment
Government of Yukon
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canada Y1A 2C6

We can be reached by
Phone: (867) 667-3171
Toll free (in Yukon): (1-800) 661-0408, local 3171
Fax: (867) 667-3195
E-mail: jessica.garstin@gov.yk.ca