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
Current status – NWT
- Water levels on the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic continue 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;
- Satellite imagery shows open water 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 48 hours as the Peel Channel becomes more open allowing more water through;
- There an ice jam on the Peel Channel downstream of Aklavik which will contribute to the rise in water levels until it breaks;
- The water level in Aklavik is hovering around 15.0 m and has risen by approximately 1.2 m over the last 48 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;
- Temperatures over the Beaufort Delta will be above seasonal again today, but will cool off over the next four days with cloud cover and mixed precipitation.