The Government of the Northwest Territories is providing updates on current conditions as the snowmelt continues in the South Nahanni and Liard Rivers.

Current status

• According to the provisional gauge data for the South Nahanni River above Virginia Falls upstream from Nahanni Butte, flow as of noon today has remained relatively steady since yesterday morning (June 9th). Data from this location would not reflect potential backwater conditions that could be experienced at Nahanni Butte due to high water on the Liard River.
• According to the provisional gauge data for the Liard River at Fort Liard, flow as of noon today has continued to increase steadily over the past couple of days, and while well above average, is below maximum values previously seen in open water conditions.
• There have been no updates to the Flood Warning Advisory issued for the Liard River in British Columbia on June 7 2022 @ 16:00.
• In British Columbia, flow on the Liard River at Lower Crossing has continued to increase steadily as of noon today.
• In the Yukon, flow on the Liard River at Upper Crossing has remained relatively steady since early yesterday morning (June 9th).
• A precipitation event forecast by ECCC earlier this week has been updated, and forecast rain amounts have decreased. The potential rain between now and Saturday evening in the region of the South Nahanni River basin is between 15-20 mm.

Context: relative to 2012 Nahanni Butte floods

• The maximum daily mean flow at the South Nahanni River above Virginia Falls was 1980 m3/s in 2012 (June 13 2012). Current flow at this location (as of noon) is 1750 m3/s, but has currently levelled off.
• The maximum daily mean flow at the Liard River at Fort Liard was 15,300 m3/s in 2012 (June 12 2012).  Current flow at this location (as of noon) is 10,800 m3/s, and is continuing to rise.

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