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 22, 2022 

 

Current status - NWT

• Ice is moving on the Mackenzie River near Tsiigehtchic;

• Water levels under ice continue to increase in the Mackenzie River Delta, at normal rates for this time of year;

  • The timing of breakup in the Delta is average relative to the previous 20 years.

• Ice is moving on the Peel River;

  • Water levels on the Peel River rose more rapidly over the past 24 hours, after previously slowing in response to cool weather. Ice from upstream is pushing along the river at Fort McPherson. The rise in water levels remains within normal ranges.

Peel River and Beaufort Delta

Above – Mackenzie River at Arctic Red River hydrometric gauge photo from May 22 at 09:00. Photo courtesy of Water Survey of Canada and GNWT.

 

Above – Peel River at Fort McPherson hydrometric gauge photo from May 22 at 09:00. Photo courtesy of Water Survey of Canada and GNWT.