Water Monitoring and Stewardship

Data

Ongoing data about water is needed to properly manage water resources. The Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC), in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada and other federal and territorial departments, collects information about water quantity and quality in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Water monitoring may include measurements of surface water flow rates, rain and snow measurements, or other meteorological phenomena. Water quantity data is used for water level and flood forecasting, water balance studies, road and pipeline design, and temporal changes. The monitoring of water quality contributes important information for municipal planning and the management of major developments.

ECC also conducts targeted studies to address issues raised in environmental assessments and water licence hearings.