Peel River, Mackenzie River ferries may close before end of October

The Peel River and Mackenzie River ferry crossings may close in two weeks earlier than last year, according to the Department of Infrastructure's regional superintendent for the Beaufort Delta region.

"Due to the colder than normal weather and the ice conditions, it's possible that the Peel River and Mackenzie River ferry crossing the Abraham Francis and Louis Cardinalcould close sooner than expected," said MerleCarpenter.

This would be the earliest the ferries have closed in nearly five years, if they shut down in a few weeks.

The Peel River ferry connects Fort McPherson, N.W.T., to the section of theDempsterHighwaythat crosses intoYukon. The Mackenzie River ferry connectsInuvik,Tsiigehtchicand Fort McPherson.

Over the past five years, the Beaufort Delta ferries have shut down during the winter.But last year was the first time since 2013 that the Peel River and Mackenzie River ferry crossings didn't have extended ferry service.

• Change in ferry operations, warm weather lead to shipping delays in Mackenzie Delta
• Last year, this resulted in the ferry crossingclosing the first week of November, roughly a month earlier than the previous year.

Extended ferry service meantthe ferries would continue running until early December, while ice roads were being built.

Last year, the ferry crossings closedduring the first week of November roughly a month earlier than the previous year.

Average dates for ferry closures in late October

The 15-year average closing dateis Oct. 25 for the Mackenzie River ferryand Oct. 28 for the Peel River ferry.

But Carpenter saidthe department is seeing a difference in water temperatures compared to last year.

According to data the department collected, the water temperature in the Mackenzie River on Monday was0.5 C. Temperatures in the Mackenzie River didn't drop that low untilabout Oct. 24last year.

The Beaufort Delta region also experienced a colder than normal summer, said Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"We've seen definitely an early start to winter-like conditions," said Proctor. "If we look at September in detail, the mean temperature was 0.8 [C] versus a normal 3.9 [C], so almost three degrees cooler than normal."

Water levels could impact ferry cancellations

Proctor said water temperatures and water levels could affect decisions about when to close ferries.

He said Inuvik is currently experiencing temperatures that are slightly warmer than normal for this time of the year, however, cool air coming off the Beaufort Sea is bringing incooler weather and wind.

Carpenter saidthe Department of Infrastructure will update its website and Twitter feed regularly to keep residents up to date on ferry conditions.