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Copper Ridge flooding remains a mystery

A report released this week by EBA Engineering unearthed few reasons for the flooding that filled some Copper Ridge homes earlier this summer.

A report released this week by EBA Engineering unearthed few reasons for the flooding that filled some Copper Ridge homes earlier this summer.

At the beginning of June, houses in the Zircon Lane area of Copper Ridge found their basements and crawl spaces saturated with groundwater.

The territory, as the initial developer of the area, called in EBA Engineering to study and assess the possible reasons for flooding.

After two months of investigation, there are still no answers.

EBA prepared a technical report and found that groundwater levels have been increasing for the last couple years, said Kevin McDonnell of community infrastructure for the Yukon.

“They don’t know specifically why, there’s a number of things that could have caused it,” he said.

Increased precipitation and abnormal ground conditions, specifically a change in the amount of water the ground holds and releases, are possible factors, said McDonnell.

The topography of the region and even nearby water mains are being investigated as potential explanations for the flooding.

EBA Engineering could not comment on the specifics of the report.

The territory will continue to study the area until more reasons are found, said McDonnell.

“We’re very sensitive to the residents of that area and we’re working hard with them to investigate the situation and come up with solutions.”

A residents-only meeting is planned for Thursday to discuss the results of the report. (Vivian Belik)