Fort Simpson ferry under load restrictions due to low water levels on the Liard River

The MV Lafferty ferry by Fort Simpson, N.W.T., is now operating with a weight restriction due to low water levels on the Liard River.

The N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure issued a notice Wednesday afternoon that the ferry is now restricted to loads under 64,000 kilograms.

"If water levels continue to drop, further reductions may be introduced," the department wrote in posts to Facebook and Twitter.

If that happens, it could ultimately impact the MV Johnny Berens ferry near Wrigley, too, the department stated.

The territory's latest water monitoring report from Sept. 6 notes the Liard River is flowing at a rate "well below normal for this time of year", and has been extremely low all summer.

It said low water levels in many parts of the territory are due to the ongoing extreme drought conditions that have now lasted for two years.

Earlier in the summer, the Infrastructure department announced its plan to dredge the sides of the Liard River near Fort Simpson to help clear the way for the ferry to safely operate.

That work was originally supposed to happen in mid-August and wrap up by Sept. 18. However, in August, the department notified the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board that it would need to extend the project to Oct. 31 due to "construction procurement" issues.