The Silver Lining in the Dark Cloud | Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Of course no one wants or likes power outages. However there was one good thing that happened as a result of an outage on August 18th. It allowed us to find a new tool to help the Yukon River Chinook salmon reach their spawning grounds upstream from the Whitehorse Rapids fishladder. 

During the outage, we first had to increase the amount of water we allowed through the spillway of our Whitehorse dam so that our reservoir, Schwatka Lake, would not overflow. Then we slowed the flow so that the lake could re-fill. The extra water seemed to push the salmon closer to the entrance of the ladder. Then when the water flow was cut back the fish seemed to be enticed by the water flowing in the ladder. More than 100 salmon swam up the ladder in the few hours after the power outage. 

We had never seen anything like this before. Working with fishladder and fish hatchery staff, we simulated these conditions four times over the last two weeks (minus the outage of course). Each time there was a similar response from the salmon.

The faster the salmon can move through the fishladder and get to their spawning grounds the better it is for their health, so we hope to be able to use this tool in future years as a way of helping the fish on their migration. However we can't guarantee that we'll be able to do this every year; it will depend on summer water levels.

 

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Preserving the Past | Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A couple of years ago while doing studies around Mayo Lake, Yukon Energy became aware of two heritage resources sites that needed some attention. In conjunction with the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun we embarked on a project to protect and preserve the heritage values that the sites contained.

This summer we hired a consultant to work with the NND heritage department in recovering artifacts from one site and further characterizing and protecting the other site. One site in particular yielded a large number of scrapers, flakes, burned bones and other tools including two arrow heads.
The artifacts were recovered, catalogued and now rest with the heritage departments of the NND and Yukon government. The second site was protected from future shoreline erosion with riprap.
This is an example of Yukon Energy’s commitment to, where possible and practical, restore and protect areas that have been impacted by past legacy projects.
Photos below: 1) scraper; 2) Na-cho Nyak Dun citizens assist with the excavation; 3) clear quartz flake.
 

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The Latest Water Levels on Marsh Lake | Wednesday, August 18, 2010

For those of you following the Marsh Lake water level charts that we've been posting regularly, we have a new one which can be found here. You'll notice that the water still has not reached what is known as the Full Supply Level. Our water license sets out a range in which we can operate...if the water goes above the high level, known as the Full Supply Level, it will have done so naturally and not because of any regulation of the lake on our part.

Our license also says that if the water has not reached Full Supply Level by August 15th, we can close some of our gates at the Marsh Lake control structure, allowing us to store some water for use later in the year. Earlier this week we closed five gates. However we will keep a close eye on the water levels and if the water does reach Full Supply Level we will again open those gates. 

» 2 Comments     » Topics: Energy Supply

Celebrating the Salmon | Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A reminder that tonight is our Open House at the Whitehorse Rapids Fishladder. It's taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. There'll be free cake and refreshments, games for the children, and some great door prizes. Everyone is welcome.

On a related topic, if you're interested in following the numbers of salmon arriving at the fishladder each day, we keep a running count on our web site, on the same page as our underwater salmon camera.

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Community Involvement

Geo-thermal Research Yields Promising Early Results | Thursday, August 5, 2010

If you are a regular visitor to this blog you will know that Yukon Energy is exploring all possible options in our search for more clean, renewable energy. In 2008 weHot springs in the Central Yukon began looking for geo-thermal sources in the territory that could provide water hot enough for energy production (the water must be at a minimum in the 100 to 120 degree Celsius range). Because the Yukon is in what's referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire, the geo-thermal potential in the territory is fairly high. We have hot springs and young volcanoes, both indicators of geo-thermal activity. The challenge is finding a good source that is relatively close to our existing transmission system. 

Over the last couple of years we have been using satellite-based technology, including infrared heat seeking equipment, to narrow our search. We have found encouraging results in several areas, including spots in the Central Yukon and around Whitehorse and Haines Junction. In particular, the Jarvis Creek area near Haines Junction appears to offer good geo-thermal potential. The water tested there was about 80 degrees Celsius. We believe if we drill down further we will find water even hotter; hopefully hot enough for energy production.

We carried out a small drilling program last year at Jarvis Creek and we plan to continue that work this fall.  We are working with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations on this initiative and they seem interested in pursuing this as a potential project. We expect it will be another two years before we know for sure if electricity produced through geo-thermal means is a viable option for the Yukon. We will keep you informed as we move forward and gather more information.

How Does a Geo-thermal Plant Work?
A geo-thermal plant operates the same way a steam plant does. The water is brought to the surface, the water's steam is used to operate a generator, and then the water is returned deep underground from where it came. Geo-thermal operations have small footprints, they are very efficient, and they are a clean and renewable source of electricity.  

 

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Energy Supply

Mayo B Update | Thursday, August 5, 2010

Our latest newsletter on the Mayo B project is out. We welcome your comments and questions about this project.

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Energy Supply

Peak of Summer Water Levels | Thursday, August 5, 2010

We had a question the other day from a Yukoner who wondered if the water levels on Marsh Lake had reached their peak yet. In fact we don't expect the levels to peak until late this month or sometime next month. Here you can find the latest water level chart. As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Environment

Our Success is No Accident | Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Fourteen hundred and thirty-four days, or nearly four years...that’s how long it’s been since a Yukon Energy employee has missed a shift as a result of a workplace injury.

It’s a statistic that Yukon Energy’s Manager of Health and Safety, Melanie Pettefer, is very proud of. “It’s huge, not just for Yukon Energy but for any utility, given our industry’s potential for exposure to hazards.”
 
In Melanie’s mind, there are a number of factors that have contributed to our favourable safety record. For one thing, there’s been a shift in mindset. “I think we have a more positive safety culture now than we did a few years ago,” she says. “There seems to be a shared concern among the staff for everyone’s safety.” That can be seen, in part, at the company’s Joint Health and Safety Committee level. The committee, made up of both managers and union employees, is very active and now works from its own Terms of Reference so everyone knows what Occupational Health and Safety and Yukon Energy can expect of them.
 
Melanie also credits strong leadership, saying that a visible commitment to safety from Senior Management has made a big difference.
 
Yukon Energy took a giant step forward in terms of safety when, last November, we obtained our Certificate of Recognition (COR). The COR is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards set out by the Northern Safety Network and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board. We’ve now taken that further and are requiring any construction contractors bidding on projects over $500,000 in 2010 to be COR certified. The dollar value threshold will be reduced to $100,000 in 2011 and beginning in 2012 it will be a requirement for all construction contractors to have their COR or Small Employer COR.
 
"When we started working towards COR almost two years ago, there was a lack of written procedures and safe work practices,” Melanie says. “The COR process has forced us to identify our deficiencies, correct them, and have them independently audited afterwards.”
 
Even with COR, Yukon Energy continues to make improvements aimed at making our workplace the safest it can possibly be. For instance, we are developing a system that will show how we prioritize hazards. We have completely dusted off our Confined Space Program and are also producing a set of safety rules that will be posted in all our work areas. And we are revising all of our policies to reflect our current Health and Safety Management program.
 
One of the things that helps keep Yukon Energy on track is our affiliation with groups such as the Canadian Electricity Association and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering. “National groups such as these help us keep current with safety,” Melanie says. “It’s a great feeling to know that we’re holding our own and in some cases even exceeding what some other large Canadian utilities are doing.”
 
Melanie points out that change is difficult, but it was and is needed, and she’s grateful for the support she’s received from her colleagues as she’s worked to bring about this change. “I can’t do it alone. Only together can we make Health and Safety work for everyone at Yukon Energy, but that’s what’s starting to happen here now and it’s very gratifying to see.”
 

 

 

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Safety

The First Fish | Tuesday, August 3, 2010

It's always an exciting time when the first salmon of the season arrive at the Whitehorse Rapids Fishladder. The first one arrived yesterday, with a couple of more making their way up the ladder today. The best time to view the salmon is first thing in the morning (9 a.m.). If you can't get to the ladder see them, they can be viewed on our live salmon cam. Please note that the camera does take a few minutes to load so we ask for your patience.

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Environment

Overnight Power Outage | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

People in parts of Whitehorse (Riverdale, a portion of Porter Creek, Crestview), those living along the Mayo Road, and residents of Carmacks, Ross River, Pelly and Faro lost power for a short while overnight. Most people had their power restored within a few minutes. Residents in the north part of the city had their power returned in less than half an hour.

The cause of the outage was a tree that fell on our transmission line to Faro. The tree has since been removed and the hydro system is back to normal.

Yukon Energy apologizes for this outage and the inconvenience it may have caused you.

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Reliability