The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has completed the 2022 snow surveys and the spring outlook for water levels has been released. The technical report is available on the ENR website.

Key takeaways from technical report

• There is potential for spring breakup flooding in the NWT again this season — specifically on the Hay, Mackenzie (Kuukpak, Nagwichoonjik, Deho, Dehcho, Grande Rivière) and Liard rivers, as well as in Aklavik.

• Break up flooding in the NWT usually results from ice jams – which can occur regardless of the water level and can be exacerbated when the air temperature rises quickly causing rapid snow melt.

• Higher water levels increase the severity of flooding in flood prone communities when ice jams occur.

• In the Hay River basin, there is potential for ice break up flooding and it is anticipated that high water levels will remain high during the spring and early summer.

  • Very high snow levels have been recorded within the basin – measuring approximately 32% above normal levels in the NWT and 40% above normal levels in the Alberta and BC sections of the basin. 

  • Water levels are at or near the highest levels ever recorded in Hay River at this time of year. The ground is also heavily saturated, which means most water will flow directly into rivers, creeks, lakes, and streams – which will likely increase the already high water levels.

• Higher-than-average water levels have been recorded in Aklavik and there is very high snowpack throughout the Peel River Basin and Mackenzie Delta. 

• The Liard River — which affects the flood prone communities of Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte and Fort Simpson — is recording extremely high snowpack – ranging from 56% to 76% higher than normal levels. There is potential for ice jam flooding in the region.

• Throughout the Dehcho, Sahtu and Beaufort Delta, there is the potential for ice jam flooding which will be exacerbated by high snow volumes, and higher-than-average water levels and water flow on the Dehcho (Mackenzie) River.

• The Taltson and Tazin rivers are flowing at about half the rate of that recorded in April 2021, and snowpack in both areas is normal.

• Water levels on Great Slave Lake remain high but have receded slightly from the extreme levels recorded in the summer of 2020 and spring of 2021. Low snowpack in the North Slave region will likely result in lower flow on local rivers but will not have a major impact on water levels on Great Slave Lake.

Background: Snow Water Equivalent

Snow water equivalent (SWE) is a measurement of how much snow there is on the ground and indicates how much water will be released into the environment when it melts.

NWT snow survey data summary for Spring 2022:

Flood prone communities

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs maintains a list of communities considered to be at-risk of flooding during spring break-up each year. For 2022, these communities include:

• Hay River (Hay River)
• Kátł’odeeche (Hay River)
• Nahanni Butte (South Nahanni River, Liard River)
• Fort Liard (Liard River)
• Fort Simpson (Liard River, Mackenzie River)
• Aklavik (Mackenzie River)
• Fort Good Hope (Mackenzie River)
• Tulita (Mackenzie River)
• Jean Marie River (Mackenzie River)

Quote(s)

“With spring break up comes the potential for ice jams and flooding. Staff at the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, and Municipal and Community Affairs have worked hard to provide expert real-time analysis on water and ice conditions and to share that information with emergency managers across the territory. Our government is committed to supporting residents and communities as they prepare for the upcoming flood season.”

- Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

Quick facts

• Key factors which will influence spring break-up and potential flooding include:
  • Rate of snow melt
  • Rate of ice melt/break up
  • Existing water levels in lakes, rivers, wetlands, and soil
  • Snowpack volumes (snow water equivalent)
  • Winter temperatures
  • Ice-jam occurrences (primary cause of spring flooding)

Related links

• Technical report: Spring Outlook and Snow Surveys (in English only)

• Be Ready for Floods

• Be Ready for emergencies

Media requests

For information on water levels and snow survey data
Media Relations
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
ENR_Communications@gov.nt.ca

For information on emergency response, preparedness, and flood risk assessments
Jay Boast
Communications Specialist
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Jay_Boast@gov.nt.ca