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.

Technical data

• Water monitoring technical bulletin – May 20, 2023

Current status – NWT  

• The local state-of-emergency in Fort McPherson remains in place in response to restricted access to fresh water and the airport; 
• The water level on the Peel River at Fort McPherson has receded by approximately 2.0 m over the past 72 hours; 
• Water levels on the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic remain stable as the build up of ice just downstream remains in place; 
  • Ice from the main stem of the Mackenzie River has packed into the Delta near Point Separation and at the confluence of the Peel River; 
• There are reports that ice started moving in Aklavik around 12:00 (noon) today; 
  • Residents of Aklavik should remain vigilant as water levels can change rapidly as ice moves through channels in the Delta; 
  • Prior to ice movement, the water level at Aklavik had been rising quickly under ice, but was still within the normal range for this stage of break up; 
  • The water level in Aklavik will be dependent on how ice and water clear through the Delta over the coming days; 
  • Mackenzie River ice is packed into the upper Mackenzie Delta near Point Separation and the mouth of the Peel River; 
    • This ice is being held by solid sheet ice in the main channel.