Yukon River Ice Breakup Shatters Previous Record For Spring Thaw

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Apr, 2016 11:23 AM

DAWSON CITY, Yukon — Residents of Yukon have experienced something that has only happened a handful of times in the last 120 years.

Ice breakup has occurred on the Yukon River at Dawson City, about 500 kilometres north of Whitehorse.

The ice officially began to move on Saturday, April 23, at 11:15 a.m., shaving five days off the previous record of April 28, 1940, and making it the earliest breakup since record keeping began in 1896.

It's only the tenth time in 120 years that the Yukon River has flowed freely in April.

A clock, set on a tripod placed on the ice, is rigged to stop when the ice begins to move, and area residents place bets on the exact time the ice will let go.

Dawson City resident Brian Stethem was the 2016 winner, taking home a pot of just over $4,300.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver And Toronto Markets Charge Ahead Despite Mortgage Rule Changes

Moves by Ottawa to tighten mortgage lending rules did little to cool the country's two hottest real estate markets as home sales in Toronto and Vancouver continued to charge ahead last month.

Vancouver And Toronto Markets Charge Ahead Despite Mortgage Rule Changes

Canadian Bank Fined $1.1 Million For Failing To Report Suspicious Dealing

It is the first time the Ottawa-based Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, known as Fintrac, has penalized a bank.

Canadian Bank Fined $1.1 Million For Failing To Report Suspicious Dealing

BMO CEO Defends Canadian Banking Sector's Anti-money Laundering Practices

Bill Downe says Canadian banks have "dramatically" beefed up their anti-money laundering controls over the last seven to 10 years at the request of various governments around the world.

BMO CEO Defends Canadian Banking Sector's Anti-money Laundering Practices

Ontario Kids With Autism Aged 5 And Older Cut Off Of Government-Paid Therapy

The Liberal government has announced a new Ontario Autism Program with $333 million in funding, but changes include limiting Intensive Behavioural Intervention to children between two and four.

Ontario Kids With Autism Aged 5 And Older Cut Off Of Government-Paid Therapy

Manitoba Election: Tory Ad Warning Of Tax Hike Goes Under The Microscope

In the lead-up to the April 19 Manitoba election, The Canadian Press is running a series of stories called Ad-Curracy, in which we look at the facts behind claims made in political advertisements.

Manitoba Election: Tory Ad Warning Of Tax Hike Goes Under The Microscope

Gordon Stuckless Apologizes In Court For Harm Caused To His Victims

Gordon Stuckless was instructed to face away from the handful of victims present in a Toronto courtroom where he read his statement during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.