Scientists with the territorial department of Environment and Climate Change said that break-up is “near complete” for the Hay River. Data from the latest report also showed break-up has progressed quickly along the Peel River and the Arctic Red River.
According to Saturday’s report, drone imagery showed rubble ice was blocking the east channel of the Hay River delta, while the west channel is clear as of this morning.
With above average temperatures forecasted into next week, climate scientists with the GNWT said this will allow for further ice degradation and the release of rubble ice from the east channel.
Upper Mackenzie River
Data released Saturday showed that break up is progressing along the Mackenzie River.
Scientists said satellite imagery acquired from Friday showed that relatively intact ice remains between Fort Providence and just upstream of Fort Simpson.
“After continued ice movement, a large open water section now stretches between Fort Simpson and Camsell Bend,” they said.
The authors of the report said water level measured on the Mackenzie River near Jean Marie River continued to slowly rise and had fluctuated in response to ice movement.
Scientists forecasted above average to above average temperatures for the rest of this weekend into next week should result in continued break-up and ice degradation for the Upper Mackenzie River.
Central Mackenzie River
On the Central Mackenzie break-up started to progress.
“Water level measured on the Mackenzie River near Norman Wells is rising underneath relatively intact ice,” said researchers.
Large open water sections between Fort Simpson and just upstream of Tulita were visible.
Scientists reported that river ice remained relatively intact between Tulita and Fort Good Hope, though some ice movement had been observed downstream of the Ramparts near Fort Good Hope as of 13:00 MDT today.
Scientists have predicted above average temperatures for the rest of this weekend into next week. These conditions will allow for continued break-up and ice degradation for the Central Mackenzie River.
Peel River and Arctic Red River
Scientists reported that break-up has progressed quickly along the Peel River and the Arctic Red River.
Water level measured on the Peel River near Fort McPherson has risen by nearly 2 m in the last 24 hours.
“The water level is currently at 10 meters which is within average range for the freshet peak,” said the report’s authors.
They said “significant ice movement” has been observed at the gauge just upstream of Fort McPherson, as of 12:00 p.m. Saturday.
Scientists said water levels on the Arctic Red River seemed to have peaked at 8.7 metres on Thursday at 11:35 p.m., which corresponds to a well above average freshet peak. They said the water level had then decreased by more than 3 meters.
The report’s authors said recent above average temperatures in Fort McPherson, average to slightly below average temperatures for the rest of this weekend into next week should limit ice degradation and snowmelt in the Peel River basin.
Scientists advised that about 5 cm to 15 cm of snow is anticipated in the Peel River basin throughout the weekend.
