Yellowknife, N.W.T. - If you noticed a rather funky smell in the downtown core a couple of days ago, there is a good reason for that.

People walking around downtown were seen to cup their noses or cover their faces as the odour became stronger as the day went on.

The city's public works director, Dennis Kefalas, said there are a couple of reasons why, but the main one could have to do with what's happening in Niven Lake.

"During the winter time an anaerobic process occurs where it breaks down any sort of bio matter that located at the bottom of the lake," he said. "During the early spring as soon as the ice breaks or if there is any sort of movement of open water you'll get this really pungent smell."

There's still some ice out there right now, but Kefalas warned it could get worse, but just for a short time.

"When the water is completely open there will be a couple of days where you really notice it and then it clears up right away," he said.

Kefalas said the wind plays a factor as well and depending on how the breeze is, there is the possibility of smelling the sewage dump out at Fiddler's Lake.

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