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 21, 2023 

Current status – NWT 

• The water level on the Peel River at Fort McPherson has likely continued to recede since reaching its peak on Thursday (18 May);
  • The temporary gauge location is likely no longer connected to the Peel River, suggesting that levels have dropped but this cannot be confirmed with the data;
• 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;
  • Solid sheet ice has begun to shift locally on the Middle Channel;
• Satellite imagery shows that solid sheet ice has started to shift at Aklavik;
  • Imagery was acquired at 20:35 MT yesterday (20 May) evening;
  • Residents of Aklavik should remain vigilant as water levels can change rapidly as ice moves through channels in the Delta;
  • Water levels in Aklavik continue to rise, but are within the normal range expected 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;
  • Aklavik and Inuvik are forecast to receive extremely warm temperatures with clear skies tomorrow, which should continue to soften and move ice through the Delta.