Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Whitehorse

Whitehorse sits on the Yukon River. It is the capital of the Yukon Territory, and with a population of about 27, 000, it is the largest city in northern Canada.

 

In 1958 the dam on Schwatka Lake was completed, and provided hydro electric power to Whitehorse. The dam created a problem for the Chinook salmon, leaving them unable to reach their spawning grounds.

The Chinook salmon that pass the dam

 

A wooden fish ladder was constructed below the dam, allowing the fish to swim up the ladder and over the dam and into Lake Schwatka and on upstream to their spawning grounds.

This is the longest wooden fish ladder in the world.

The fish are counted as they swim upstream. These Chinook salmon have the longest freshwater migration  route of any salmon. They travel 3,000 kilometres to the mouth of the Yukon River in the Bering Sea.

 

 

 



The visitor center is interesting to visit. Here, one can view the fish as they make their way up the fish ladder.

This was our visit to the picturesque Miles Canyon.

The suspension bridge was something to see. Not being a fan of heights, I headed back to shore when it started to sway.

The paddle wheel steamer "Klondike" is one of  main sights in Whitehorse. Now a museum, it used to ferry supplies up and down the Yukon River to remote settlements and gold mines.

I was surprised to discover how cavernous the cargo hold was. It is massive.

This vessel burned copious quantities of wood, which had to be constantly replenished along it's route.

Most supplies were shipped in prior to winter. These photos depict the bare necessities, including barrels of beer and cases of gin.

Our visit to Whitehorse ended with a BBQ steak dinner, followed by a visit at the fire pit.

Next stop........Dawson City!