Fort Smith — August 8, 2023
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has completed interim reporting on enhanced water quality monitoring on the Slave River at Fort Smith that began on March 2, 2023 after the GNWT was informed of two spill incidents near the Kearl Oil Sands Mine in northern Alberta.
Enhanced monitoring was done in collaboration with the Fort Smith Métis Council, the Town of Fort Smith, and Smith’s Landing First Nation.
Monitoring has so far indicated that the Slave River is safe for people and animals, with no evidence of the spill incidents contaminating the Slave River in the Northwest Territories. The GNWT and water partners will continue to monitor the Slave River at Fort Smith for any signs of contamination stemming from these incidents.
You can see the Slave River at Fort Smith Enhanced Monitoring Interim Results Report here: https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/slave-river-fort-smith-enhanced-monitoring-interim-results-2023.
For media requests, please contact:
Mike Westwick
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-765-8557