NWT Water Monitoring Bulletin – May 22, 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 

  • Water levels on the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic are starting to recede after reaching their peak on Saturday (20 May);
    • The peak from this year was approximately 4.5 m lower than the peak from last year at this location;
    • 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 Main Channel;
  • Satellite imagery shows that solid sheet ice has started to shift at Aklavik;
    • Residents of Aklavik should remain vigilant as water levels can change rapidly as ice moves through channels in the Delta;
    • Water levels in Aklavik have been rising more quickly over the past 24 hours as the Peel Channel becomes more open allowing more water through;
    • The water level in Aklavik is 14.63 m (as of 10:00 this morning) and has risen by approximately 0.8 m over the last 24 hours;
      • The peak water level last year was 15.57 m;
    • 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 today, which should continue to soften and move ice through the Delta.
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