Climate change scientists say water levels remain low across the territory and predict above average precipitation expected in the coming months. Environment researchers anticipate that southern regions will see colder than average temperatures, while northern parts of the territory will experience the opposite effect.
Scientists with GNWT’s Environment and Climate Change Centre report that water levels and flow rates are very low across most of the NWT. According to the findings of the latest climate change research, precipitation was generally higher and temperatures were colder than average in December for much of the region.
According to the latest water monitoring bulletin data, Great Slave Lake water levels are well below average, which means below the 75th to 90th percentile.
Environment scientists looked at level measures recorded across the territory going back over a century.
According to the report, Mackenzie River water levels, recorded at several stations along the river, were well below average for this time of year, which means below the 90th percentile.
Hay River water levels were also well below average.
Scientists report that the Great Bear Lake remains at its lowest water level for this time of year.
There were some exceptions to the low water levels, including the Slave River, the Hoarfrost River and the Taltson River, which showed average level readings.
The South Nahanni River, the Coppermine River along with a number of smaller rivers in the Great Slave Lake basin, including the Lockhart River drew above average levels in December.
Researchers noted that while there have been some limited signs of water levels recovering, the low levels have persisted since 2022, caused by extreme drought conditions.
The scientists also advised that the accuracy of the water level sensors is negatively effected by ice. Water levels could be lower or higher than the recorded measures.
The report’s authors said that December precipitation was “variable” across the NWT.
Data collected in Yellowknife and Inuvik showed precipitation “well below average” levels last month. Norman Wells had below average precipitation while levels measured in Hay River and Fort Smith were average. Fort Simpson saw above average precipitation in December.
Precipitation is forecast to be about average across the territory in the coming months.
According to the report, last month temperatures were cooler than average across most of the territory.
“December temperatures were much cooler than normal across the NWT, except for in Inuvik where temperatures were average.”
Researchers predict “variable” temperatures for the coming months.
“Climate forecasts from [the Environment and Climate Change Centre] for January to March 2026 indicate cooler than average temperatures for southern regions of the NWT, approximately average temperatures for central NWT, and warmer than average temperatures for the northern regions.”
