1908.] 



SEASONAL PHENOMENA MACKENZIE VALLEY. 



87 



SEASONAL PHENOMENA IN MACKENZIE VALLEY, 1903-4. 



As a contribution to the climatology of the Mackenzie Valley, it 

 may be well to present a brief account of the progress of the seasons 

 and attendant phenomena from October 1, 1903, to July, 1904. The 

 first three weeks in October were spent in ascending the Mackenzie 

 from Fort Xorman, at the mouth of Bear River, to Fort Simpson, at 

 the mouth of the Liard. The fact that these notes were taken while 

 the party was traveling detracts but little from their value, since the 

 conditions in different parts of this stretch of river were nearly uni- 

 form at that time. The period from October 20, 1903, to June 1, 

 1904, was spent at Fort Simpson, and the month of June in descend- 

 ing the Mackenzie to its delta. 



When the Mackenzie was reached, on September 30, 1903, by de- 

 scending Bear River, a marked contrast was noted between the condi- 

 tions left behind at Great Bear Lake and those encountered on the 

 Mackenzie. The temperature Avas considerably higher, and several 

 sj^ecies of small birds w^hich had practically disappeared from Great 

 Bear Lake were common. The high mountains on the west side of 

 the Mackenzie were covered with snow. 



During the first few days of October, as w^e were ascending the 

 Mackenzie, the weather was mostly fine, with southerly winds part of 

 the time. The nights were frosty and ice formed on still water. The 

 blue flowers of a gentian (apparently Gentiaiia acuta), the latest 

 flowers observed, were seen on October 3. During the night of Octo- 

 ber 7 (above Blackwater River) a little snow fell, but it disappeared 

 during the following day. On the night of October 12 (above Fort 

 Wrigiey) 4 inches of snow fell, and on the night of October 14 

 another fall of snow occurred. Some ice was seen drifting on the 

 west side of the Mackenzie on October 15 (above mouth Xahanni 

 River). On the following day the drifting ice had greatly increased 

 in quantity, and on October 17 our progress by canoe was arrested. 

 At this time the last of the tree sparrows and a few other hardy 

 species left for the South. Snow fell on the nights of October 17 

 and 18 while we were continuing on foot to Fort Simpson, and the 

 drifting ice continually increased in quantity. 



SEASONAL PHENOMENA AT FORT SIMPSON, WINTER 1903—4. 



The Liard was partially closed at its mouth on October 21, but broke 

 away once or twice before it finally set fast. The Aveather from Octo- 

 ber "21 to 25 Avas considerably milder than it had been during the pre- 



« It should be noted that the appearance of drifting ice at this early date was 

 almost unprecedented. 



