Ice jam shuts down Whitehorse hydro dam

Yukon Energy was forced to shut down its Whitehorse hydroelectric generating stationover the weekenddue to an ice jam.

Mild temperatures and brisk winds, at the south end of Schwatka Lake, causedsheets of ice to breakaway from the shoreline, creating an ice jam in an area near the intake of the hydro generators.

The ice jam forced the shutdown of three of the fourhydro units at the dam and caused problems withthe fourth.

The company has fired up its diesel back-up generators, and needed10 of them to meet peak energy demand Monday morning fivein Whitehorse, fourin Dawson City and onein Faro.

Divers are using a steam truck today to melt the ice that's causing the problems.

Officials say they hope to have three of four hydro generators back online by tonight or Tuesdaymorning.