Yukon Energy to Advance Urgent Spillway Replacement at Wareham Dam

Mayo, Yukon — Yukon Energy is advancing the critical replacement of the Wareham Dam spillway and has applied for an emergency amendment to its water use licence for the Mayo Hydro Facility. The amendment would allow Yukon Energy to proceed with necessary 2026 construction activities this June.   Yukon Energy will replace the existing spillway with a new open-channel spillway, a design that was selected following an extensive technical engineering and design review process that took approximately two years to complete.  This option offers greater cost certainty, can be constructed more quickly, and—unlike other designs considered—can convey water through the channel as an emergency measure after the first year of construction. These advantages help reduce the risk of the existing spillway failing during a potential high-water event in spring 2027 or 2028, which could otherwise lead to downstream flooding in the Village of Mayo. Recent engineering assessments have confirmed that the spillway has reached the end of its service life and requires replacement. A March 2026 review determined that leaving the spillway in its current condition presents unacceptable risks. These findings build on earlier assessments from 2023 to 2025, which identified accelerating deterioration and highlighted the potential for significant impacts to public safety, the environment, and the local economy. Yukon Energy has submitted its project proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) for the three years of anticipated construction activities and will continue to work closely with the Government of Yukon, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Village of Mayo as the project continues. The organizations are also working together on emergency planning and to share information with the community. The Mayo Hydro Facility is a key part of the Yukon’s renewable electricity supply and energy security. This project will support its continued operation and ability to provide reliable power to Yukoners for decades to come. Quote “Public safety is our top priority. Advancing this project now will help ensure we can safely manage water during high-flow periods to protect the community, while maintaining this   source of reliable, renewable electricity for Yukoners.” - Joe MacGillivray, President and CEO of Yukon Energy Media Contact Lisa Wiklund, Manager of Community Relations lisa.wiklund@yec.yk.ca