Climate change and low water sinks popular Yukon fishing derby

A popular fishing derby on Yukon's Kluane Lake has been cancelled this year, because organizers say low water has made ittoo risky for people to launchtheir boats.

The lake level is unusually low this year,and scientists are blaming climate changeand a retreating glacier that no longer feedsthe big lake with meltwater.

• Climate change causes glacial river in Yukon to change direction

• Dropping water level on Kluane Lake causing problems, MLA says

It'll be the first Canada Day weekendin recent memory that there hasn't been aKluane Lake Fishing Derby.

Ryan Wirth of Whitehorse was a regular participant. He says it was always a great way to celebrate his birthday, on June 29.

"This year, unfortunately, is my 40th birthday and I was so looking forward to spending it on KluaneLake doing threedays of fishing there," he said.

"I'm going to have to make other plans."

Derby organizers saythe lower water has madethe boat launch atBurwash Landing hard to navigate.

JaneWoolverton, president of theKluaneLake Athletics Association which organizes the event, also says the other boat launches on the lake are not much better. She was worried about people damaging their boats.

MLA blames gov't 'inaction'

The local MLA has even weighed in, saying it's the government's fault the event had to be cancelled. The Yukon Party's Wade Istchenkosays the government should have dredged the Destruction Bay launch, to make it usable.

"As a result of inaction, a prominent organization will lose out on the annual revenue it generates from the derby and my riding will lose out on one of the biggest events of the year," Istchenko said in a statement.

Co-organizer Grace Southwickagrees that the event isa big deal for the community. She says itgrew from about 60 participants 13 years ago, to more than 200 in recent years.

"We're a small community, so when you get 200 people here and they're buying gas and groceries and camping, RV sites ...so we really notice when we're not having it."

Loren Maluorno, owner of the Destruction Bay RV Lodge calls the cancellation "sad".

"It's part of our life here.I'm sorry to see it go," he said.