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Climate
Fort Liard is a beautiful spot, with lush growth and a consistently warmer climate than one might expect, given its northern location. The temperature in July is a mean of 22.7oC with a July low mean of 10.8oC. In the winter, the January mean is -20.2oC with a January low mean of -29.3oC. The average wind speed is 16.1 km.h and there is an average annual precipitation of 449 mm.
The Four Seasons
Spring - The days grow noticeably longer, the weather warms and the snow melts quickly. The snow mosquitoes (the previous year's mosquitoes that survived the winter by being frozen in ice or snow) emerge, large, hairy and dumb. The buds on trees begin to emerge into bright green leaves. Considered the true sign of "summer," the Liard River usually break up in early May. Sometimes, the sound of ice cracking and shifting is so loud it wakes people from their sleep. Someone stands guard, watching the river, to warn the town in the event of a flood. Floods can be caused by ice jams further down the Liard River. The banks of the Liard River are usually steep, but sometimes the banks are crested by the sudden rush of water. In the spring, around breakup, it is not uncommon for the river level to rise or fall several feet in a matter of minutes.
In spring, the water levels are at their highest. The Liard River has a huge area as its watershed, reaching deep into Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon through forests, muskeg, and mountains. The lowlands flood and provide wetlands for moose, beaver, and migratory birds. The smaller rivers that feed into the Liard are fast-flowing. Families head out onto the land for the spring beaver hunt.
Summer - On some hot summer mornings, from May to August, mist rises from the river, creating a soft-toned scene until the sun burns it off later in the morning. In June, the river level rises and falls as the last of the snow melts off the mountains.
The summers in Fort Liard are warm and inviting. The days are long and comfortable, with only a few hours of darkness. Because of this, plant growth is rapid and unused trails that were clear in the spring suddenly find themselves choked with growth. The white seed clusters of trees, looking like puffy snow, drift gently in the breeze like summer snow. The occasional thunder storm puts fire tower monitors and local fire crews on alert and brings people to the river bank to watch the approaching light show. Families head to their cabins up-river.
Autumn - Mountains, west, north and northwesterly across the Liard, enhance a view which becomes truly spectacular in the Autumn when rich, golden leaves march up from the lower slopes and fill the river valley. The days become shorter and shorter, and the moose go into rut. Families head out on the rivers and into the bush to hunt moose for the winter, leaving the town almost deserted. When the trees have shed their leaves, the first snows begin to fall.
Winter - In the winter, longer nights, with clear skies reveal spectacular views of the stars and the dazzling northern lights. The smell of wood smoke fills the air around town as woodstoves protect old log and modern homes alike from the colder winter nights. Although the temperature may be colder, it is easy to dress for the weather since the winter is usually dry. Occasionally, chinooks, warm masses of air, come from the west and bring temperatures as high as ten degrees Celcius.
There is always something to do in Fort Liard, regardless of the season. Summer invites hiking and fishing, 4-wheeling and boating, while the winter is ideal for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or riding around on a snow machine. Visit the See and Do page for other activities around Fort Liard.
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Plants & Wildlife
Mammals - Because of the romoteness of the area, the land around Fort Liard is relatively unspoiled. Large mammals, like moose and bison, roam the area, as do lynx, wolves, black bears, muskrat, beaver, martin, mink, rabbit, bats, and other small mammals. Occasionally, woodland caribou and mountain lions will hint at their presence. In the mountains, grizzly bears and mountain sheep live freely.
 The bison of the area are particularly interesting because of their history and the controversy surrounding them. As part of government sponsored programs to re-introduce healthy bison to Canada, bison were selected from the an isolated Wood Buffalo National Park herd. It was thought that, unlike most of the other bison in Wood Buffalo, which are either plains bison or a plains bison/wood bison hybrid, this group consisted of true wood bison. They were quarantined at Elk Island until they were brought to the Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte area. Their numbers have grown rapidly, and it is common to see bison roaming around town. Some people believe that bison were never a part of the local wildlife, while others maintain that they were simply re-introduced. Many local people will not eat bison, and some claim that the bison are affecting moose poplulations. Moose are a very important part of the local diet. No formal studies have been conducted to determine the health of the bison or the effects that they have had on other species, although there is still some monitoring of the bison.
Fish - Pickerel (walleye), jack (northern pike), ling cod, golden eye, inconnu, and whitefish are common in the area. On rare occassion, a salmon will be netted late in the season in the Liard River. Fishing is popular, and is excellent in the smaller, clearer rivers. Ice fishing is also a popular pastime. Locally, fish are prepared different ways, but one popular method is to dry whitefish. Fishing licenses are available in many of the local stores or through the local wildlife officer.
Birds - Some birds, such as ravens, woodpeckers, and whiskeyjacks, make their homes in the Liard Valley year round. An incredible variety of migratory birds, such as eagles, loons, ducks, and many, many more, stop for the summer, or pass through from other locations. There is a bird study, lasting for ten years, being conducted just outside of town.
Reptiles & Amphibians - Leopard frogs and a few other species inhabit the wetlands. There are no snakes or other reptiles in the area.
Insects - There is amazing diversity in the insects of the area, ranging from butterflies and moths, spiders, "hair eaters," and "bulldogs," but the most famous of them all is the mosquito. The north is notorious for its mosquitos, but don't let the legends of the "official bird of the NWT" scare you away. Simple precautions, such as insect repellants, bug jackets, or the time of day that you go exploring, can be taken to avoid the little trouble makers.
Trees - The trees in the Liard Valley grow quickly and they grow tall. This is one of the few locations around Canada where the spruce are large enough to make spruce bark canoes. The bark of the birch tree is used to make the beautiful porcupine quill baskets for which Fort Liard is famous. Aspen grow to unbelievable heights. The first, second and third largest measured aspen in the world grow just outside of town. The largest was last measured at a height of 63.5m (120ft) tall. A closer examination of some poplars will reveal claw marks left by black bears.
Berry Plants - Local berry plants include high and lowbush cranberries, high and lowbush blueberries, saskatoon berries (kinnickinick), bunchberries, raspberries, blackberries, chokecherries, wild strawberries, and wild rose.
Other Plants - An amazing diversity of plants, too broad to list here, grow in the lush Liard Valley. Lichens, mosses, ferns, and a variety of flowering plants decorate the forest floor. Some plants, such as the snowflower, are extremely rare and are unusually distant from their home range. Other rare plants, such as orchids, grow in certain areas of the valley.
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Plants, like these bunchberries, flourish in the Liard Valley.
The forest is thick with spruce, poplar, and birch.
This region is one of the few places in Canada where the spruce are large enough to make canoes.
This region of Canada was once the bottom of a shallow ocean. Many aquatic fossils can be found in the area. Archaeological evidence at Fisherman Lake attests to over 9,000 years of habitation.
The spring thaw floods the lowlands.
Examine some of the many poplar for signs of black bears.
Although there are no local accounts of bear attacks in recent memory, it is important to be bear aware. Inquire at the Visitor Information Centre or with the local wildlife officer for safety information when traveling in bear country. |
Click here to view the Fort Liard Photo Album. Last Updated August 21, 2007 |
