With the recent accident on the Robert Campbell Bridge and the strong earthquake that rocked Whitehorse, people are wondering just what to prepare for in a worst-case scenario for the Whitehorse valley.
Here is my idea. A float plane trying to land on Schwatka Lake suffers a botched landing and rams into Yukon Energy’s new liquefied natural gas facility at the base of the dam.
The burning plane punctures the tanks and ignites the natural gas once it has disbursed and heated up. The explosion blocks off all access to Yukon Energy’s yard, control system, Robert Service Way and the hydro turbines, diesel turbines and the control structure.
The explosion compromises the earthen dam right beside it, a small breach is formed which quickly grows and millions of litres of water surge down, inundating the already compromised Yukon Energy infrastructure.
There is no way to stop Schwatka Lake from totally emptying and the flood would sweep downriver and inundate downtown, re-float the SS Klondike, then take out the Robert Campbell Bridge.
The hospital may be spared because most of the water will flood downtown. Meanwhile, we will have no electricity, no hospital access and our communication systems will not work. It is time that people started to wake up to the reality. If the dam goes, were hooped.
We must stop this LNG project, stick to diesel for backup and get Yukon Energy to expand any further generation development above the valley floor.
Julie Moore
Haines Junction