Escarpment 2024

As we enter spring, the City is planning for this year's snow melt and the 2024 freshet season. Landslides along the escarpment and Robert Service Way are now a regular occurrence and spring closures to the road and trails in the area should be expected annually until a permanent solution can be implemented.

In 2022 and 2023, several landslides off the escarpment resulted in several temporary closures of Robert Service Way and trails in the area.

This year, the City is taking a proactive approach to escarpment monitoring and maintenance, building on the work done in recent years to protect Robert Service Way and trails in the area. Data will be gathered from the escarpment along Robert Service Way through a variety of methods including:

• radar-based slope scanning;
• visual inspections;
• groundwater level monitors;
• targeted survey monitoring of critical slope areas; and
• drone surveys.

There is a potential for Robert Service Way, Millennium Trail and other trails along the base of the escarpment to experience partial or full closures during the 2024 freshet season if geotechnical engineers recommend closure based on slope conditions. Closing Robert Service Way and trails in the area is a decision that is not taken lightly. The City understands the impacts of such closures, however the closures may be required to mitigate risks for the public.

Pending funding, the City plans to realign the north end of Robert Service Way by moving it away from the base of the escarpment and re-grading the slope in 2026. In partnership with the Government of Yukon, the City applied for the federal government's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to support this long-term plan to lessen the impacts of potential future landslides.

During this year's freshet season, the City will be using a variety of tools to reach residents and keep them informed about the status of the escarpment. To stay up to date, watch for updates below on this project page, and follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Please reach out to us if you observe concerning activity around the escarpment. You can reach us:

• in emergencies (imminent slope failure or public safety risk): contact the Whitehorse Fire Department by calling 9-1-1;
• after hours (non-emergency): call the City reporting line at 867-667-2111; and/or
• for questions and general slope observations, contact City of Whitehorse staff using the following ways:
  • Below using the “Ask a Question” tool
  • Report a Problem on our website

Visit our FAQs and Glossary for more information.