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.
Technical data
Current status – NWT
- On the Liard River and on the Mackenzie River at Fort Simpson, water levels are rising under the ice, but the rates of increase are still small;
- Most of the snowpack has melted in the lower Liard River basin;
- There are patches of open water developing between Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson.
- Warmer than seasonal temperatures are forecast for the southern Dehcho region (lower Liard and upper Mackenzie basins) over the next week;
- Daily highs will be in the low- to mid- 20s and will approach 30°C near Fort Providence. The warm weather and sun will rapidly melt any remaining snow and soften river ice.
Current Status – Liard River
- Ice on the Liard River is moving at Fort Liard;
- Ice has not yet broken on the Liard River at Fort Simpson (as of 12:00);
- Most of the lower Liard River basin is snow-free;
- Water levels briefly spiked at Fort Liard this morning as ice continues to move down the river;
- Ice jams and runs are likely along the Liard River as ice continues to move;
- Water levels remain within a normal range;
- The southern Dehcho region will continue to receive unseasonably warm weather into this weekend
Current Status –Mackenzie River
- Ice on the Mackenzie River is still largely intact, but there are open water sections as identified in satellite imagery in yesterday’ report;
- Water levels are rising underneath the ice at the Mackenzie River at Fort Simpson, but water levels remain average for this stage of break up;
- Warm temperatures in the region will soften river ice and expedite breakup.