Monitoring

The Water Resources Division monitors water quantity and quality through a variety of short- and long-term projects. Baseline studies tell us about the conditions of the environment before changes occur. Continued monitoring tells us if, and how, the environment is modified as changes proceed. The water quantity baseline network is a long-term source of data, while specific quantity and quality studies are designed to obtain information to address particular issues or community concerns. A brief description of some of these projects is included below. Further information can be obtained by contacting us.

• Water Quantity Baseline Network
• Snow Survey Network
• Evaporation Program
• Coppermine River Water Quality
• Local Rivers Water Quality
• Peel River Basin Water Quality Program
• Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program
• Liard River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program

Water Quantity Baseline Network

The Water Resources Division contributes funding to the operation of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut portions of the National Hydrometric Network. This network is operated by the Water Survey Division of Environment Canada. Stream flows and lake levels are measured routinely at about 90 sites. Data are published annually and are available from the Water Survey of Canada's National Water Quantity Survey Program  website. This site also includes real-time hydrometric data for many river stations.

Snow Survey Network

The Water Resources Division measures the volume of snow at the end of the season (April) at a network of survey sites. The volume of snow is measured as snow-water equivalent (SWE) – the amount of water produced per unit of area if the snow was melted. This takes into consideration the depth of snow and its density. The snow-water equivalent allows annual data to be compared from one year to the next. Historic snow quantity data can be viewed online and/or downloaded.

Evaporation Program

The Water Resources Division has been conducting an evaporation program at various mine sites in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut since 1993. The purpose of the study is to improve water management in mine tailings disposal areas. Specific weather parameters are measured and logged with automatic stations located near the mine tailings ponds. These data are used to calculate daily and seasonal evaporation rates, which are then used in water balance calculations. There are currently six evaporation stations operating in NWT and Nunavut, at the Giant, Salmita, Colomac, Lupin, Silver Bear and Discovery mine sites. Evaporation data are also available for the Nanisivik and Cullaton Lake mine sites.

Coppermine River Water Quality

Water quality sampling in the Coppermine River watershed began in the summer of 1999 to establish baseline information and to address concerns regarding potential future cumulative effects of northern diamond mining in the region. Water samples have been collected at numerous sites in the basin and analyzed for physical parameters, major ions, nutrients and total metals. Data analysis is ongoing.

Local Rivers Water Quality

As a matter of local community interest, water quality baseline data are currently being collected monthly at three rivers located near Yellowknife. These include the Cameron River (downstream from Reid Lake), Yellowknife River (upstream of Highway 4 bridge) and Marian River (upstream of Franks Channel bridge). The Cameron River has been sampled at least once a year since 1983 (monthly since 1999), the Marian River from 1997 (monthly since 1999) and the Yellowknife River from 1987-1996 (monthly since 2000). The samples collected are analyzed for the following water quality parameters: physicals, major ions, nutrients, bacteria, cyanide and total metals. The data collected to date are in a database and are currently being analyzed.

Peel River Basin Water Quality Program

The Peel River is a transboundary river that originates in the Yukon. From its headwaters in the Ogilvie Mountains, the river flows eastward for 193 km and then continues in a northerly course for 237 km past Fort McPherson. It eventually empties into the Mackenzie River, approximately 65 km south of Aklavik, NWT. The Water Resources Division of INAC is responsible for monitoring transboundary waters to ensure that upstream provinces and territories are not causing downstream effects in the Northwest Territories.

The Peel River Water Report presents 20 years of water quality data from the long-term water quality site, "Peel River above Fort McPherson", as well as winter water quality and quantity information at remote sites throughout the basin. Water and suspended sediment are monitored on the Peel River to address transboundary issues and community concerns about contaminants. Additional sampling was conducted from 2002-2007.The data are currently being analyzed and a report is expected in 2008.

Peel River Water Report (2002)

Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program

This five-year multimedia sampling program from 1990 to 1995 characterized baseline conditions of the aquatic ecosystem in the Slave River at Fort Smith, NWT. The comprehensive program developed a solid baseline for the aquatic ecosystem of the Slave River against which future changes can be measured. As part of a follow-up to the program, an update report is expected in 2008.

Slave River Summary Report, 1998

Liard River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program

This comprehensive sampling program measured the condition of the Liard River at the boundary between British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. The Liard River Program measured important contaminants in water, suspended sediments and fish between 1991 and 1995. The purpose was to assess the present status of the river, discover any hazards to human health or the aquatic environment, and to define a solid baseline to see if conditions change in the future. As part of a follow-up to the program, an update report is expected in 2008.

Liard River Summary Report, 1998