Low water may complicate Fort Simpson’s summer

“When the temperature is higher than the humidity – that’s the crossover point,” said Sean Whelly. “You could feel it. There were little whirlwinds going around. Looking out on the river, it was like extended sandbars way out into the Liard River.”

As the community approaches another wildfire season, a dozer and excavator were out on the river this week, working to get the ferry going across the Liard River. The ferry crossing is a lifeline for the community as a supply route, and potentially an evacuation route, though the prospect of getting hundreds of people off Fort Simpson’s main island in one go means sheltering in place might be more likely.

Whelly says preparing the Liard River for the ferry looks different this year. With lower water, the shoreline is much farther out than usual.

By Tuesday afternoon, the ferry was in the water and the summer season appeared imminent.

Streaming a video of the ferry’s opening voyage this summer, Chief Kele Antoine of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation said he had been told it might begin operations as soon as Friday once initial testing is complete.

“Be patient and let them do their testing,” Chief Antoine told residents.

That patience might be a precious commodity this summer. The Liard River’s water level may complicate travel into and out of the community if it doesn’t increase.

Levels on the Liard at the crossing are a little above two metres according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s hydrometric data. At this time of year, water levels are typically perched at four metres, Whelly said.

Low water doesn’t necessarily halt the ferry – vehicles can cross until the level dips to 1.8 metres, the mayor said – but it can alter the vessel’s route, potentially delaying travel in an emergency.

If the water does drop low enough, either the ferry will be suspended or it could restrict the travel of heavier vehicles, both of which would have consequences for how supplies reach the village and its stores.

“I think people are concerned about this already. Everyone’s noticing how low the water is here,” Whelly said.

“It is concerning from an economic point of view, it’s concerning from a fire and safety point of view – the pricing of things as well.”

Whelly said the village’s emergency plan takes low water into consideration. Alternatives to the ferry exist, such as air travel.

“I don’t want people to be panicked because certainly, rains will boost the river up,” said Whelly. “We were lucky last year to just catch enough rain in between the dryness. It sort-of saved us from catching the fires going.”

The mayor renewed calls for an all-season bridge to be built at the crossing, which would permanently connect Fort Simpson – and Wrigley, beyond it – to the NWT’s highway network and the south.

He says the advance of climate change and the consequent economic and safety concerns mean now is the time.

“It’s all coming down to: people don’t have guaranteed access to the highway,” said Whelly, who argues that while you can’t readily change what the water does, you can plan for a future bridge.

“Why wait forever? You’ve got to start sometime.”

Simona Rosenfield, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio