Fort Simpson mayor says water levels might end ferry season early this year

As the Liard River's water level continues to drop, Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly is urging people to get prepared earlier than usual in case the MV Lafferty ferry is forced to close down early.

Fort Simpson, a village at the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers, relies on the ferry in the summer and an ice crossing in the winter. Once the ferry closes for the season — usually around Nov. 3 — it takes several weeks for the ice crossing to be built so residents can leave by road.

The N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure issued a notice on Wednesday that the MV Lafferty ferry is now restricted to loads under 64,000 kilograms, due to low water levels.

The ferry connects the community to Highway 1.

Whelly said the water levels on the Liard River usually get lower in October. This year, however, they are already dropping.

"So people thinking about getting goods into Fort Simpson should be mobilizing right now and getting their logistics in order, because I think it's just probably going to get worse," Whelly said.

The ice crossing typically opens around Nov. 29.

Whelly suggested residents and stores should start stocking up on dry goods, and any equipment for construction projects should also be brought in soon.

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation Chief Kele Antoine said the recent ferry shutdowns this season are more than an inconvenience.

"[It's] also about safety, access to health care, and food security for the community," he said.

Antoine said the low water levels they are facing this year are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the community's transportation infrastructure. 

He said immediate planning needs to be done to build a bridge over the Liard River — a request the village has also made several times recently.

"This crucial piece of infrastructure will provide year-round access and stability for our people, not only here but for all communities up and down the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway extension," Antoine said.

The N.W.T. government's plan to dredge the sides of the Liard River by Fort Simpson has been pushed back to Oct. 31.