NWT Water Monitoring Bulletin – May 15, 2023

News Type: 
Water monitoring bulletin

The Government of the Northwest Territories maintains water monitoring stations across the territory to keep track of water levels and flow rates in areas of potential flood risk for communities.

This information is provided regularly to territorial and regional emergency managers to help understand the status of waterways across the NWT in the lead-up to, and during spring break-up – the highest-risk period for floods in the Northwest Territories.

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Technical data

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Current status – NWT  

  • Ice on the Mackenzie River is moving past Fort Good Hope;
    • The flood risk at Fort Good Hope is dependent on how well the ice clears downstream of the community;
    • As of 13:00, ice is moving well, and water levels are high but stable;
    • If the ice jams downstream, the water level at Fort Good Hope could rise rapidly;
    • Satellite imagery from yesterday at ~14:00 indicated the presence of ~100 km of open water downstream of Fort Good Hope followed by what appears to be an ice jam;
    • It is unknown if that existing ice jam is strong enough to hold the ice that has been moving past the community over the past few hours.

• The water level on the Peel River is rising rapidly;

    • Ice began moving on the Peel River yesterday;
    • The hydrometric gauge has been impacted by ice and is no longer producing data;
    • Photos from the hydrometric gauge show rapid increases in the water level and large chunks of ice moving down the river;
    • Cabin owners along the Peel River and residents of Fort McPherson should be aware of the potential for high water and flooding;

• Temperatures are forecast to remain high today but will cool off tomorrow which could serve to hold ice in place;

• The water level on the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic and throughout the Mackenzie River Delta is rising underneath the ice.

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Current Status – Mackenzie River

  • Ice has cleared past Norman Wells and through the Ramparts;
    • Water levels at Norman Wells peaked at 9.9 m yesterday morning at 09:00 and have dropped by over 3.5 m since then;
  • Ice is moving well through Fort Good Hope (as of 13:00);
  • The current water level at Fort Good Hope is high but appears stable;
  • Satellite imagery acquired yesterday at 14:00 indicates the presence of open water for approximately 100 km downstream of Fort Good Hope followed by what appears to be an ice jam;
    • It is not known if the ice moving down the Mackenzie River today has pushed through and cleared the ice jam or if ice and water are backing up;
    • If ice jams and holds, water levels in Fort Good Hope could rise rapidly.
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Current Status –Peel River and Beaufort Delta

  • Water levels on the Peel River have risen rapidly over the past two days;
  • Ice on the Peel River began moving yesterday;
  • The hydrometric gauge on the Peel River above Fort McPherson was impacted by ice and is no longer producing data;
    • Photos from the gauge are transmitting hourly and show rapid water level rise and considerable ice movement;
  • Cabin owners along the Peel River and residents of Fort McPherson should be aware that water levels are rising rapidly and that low elevation areas may experience flooding;
  • Temperatures will remain well above seasonal today, but are forecast to cool off tomorrow before returning to above seasonal on Wednesday;
    • Warm temperatures today will continue to bring snowmelt water to the river and raise water levels;
  • Water levels on the Mackenzie River near Tsiigehtchic and throughout the Delta are rising underneath the ice;
  • The hydrometric gauge on the Mackenzie River near Tsiigehtchic has been impacted by ice and is not producing data.
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