While water levels have improved, the N.W.T. continues to face an unprecedented fourth season of drought, according to the latest measures taken between mid-May to early June.
“Water levels have shown some recovery since the low water levels observed over the past few years, with increases in water levels due to an above-average snowpack in much of the Mackenzie River basin,” said Climate Change researchers with the territory in their latest report.
Scientists with the N.W.T’s department of Environment and Climate change reported that following spring break-up, water levels are generally higher across most large lakes and rivers.
While Great Slave Lake’s water levels have been rising, they remain below average, following a consistent pattern since July 2023. Measures taken in early June show that the lake currently falls below 75 per cent of measurements going back 91 years.
Climate Change researchers said Great Bear Lake has been rising since early May but is still considered well below average for this time of year. While the levels remain low, Great Bear Lake did show improvement in comparison to last year, with levels slightly higher than this time of year in 2025.
Prosperous Lake and Prelude Lake had average levels that were up since last year.
Some major rivers showed above average levels.
The Slave River, the Athabasca River and Peace River measured above average for this time of year.
The Hay River showed average levels at the Atla. border and above average levels at the town of Hay River. Upstream, the Chinchaga River showed levels “well above average.” The measures rate above the 90 per cent range in comparison to historic records.
While some major rivers like the Slave River, the Athabasca River and Peace River measured above average, the Mackenzie River and the Liard River measured below average.
The Mackenzie River water level, recorded at a number of stations along the river, showed
below average levels for this time of year. The good news is that the levels show improvement, measuring higher than levels taken at this time last year.
Climate change researchers said the Fort Liard river’s water level was also below average for this time of year, according to data measured from the hamlet of Fort Liard and from a site at the river’s mouth. While the measures taken from those two points of the river were below average, they were higher than last year.
The upstream gauges of the Liard River in B.C. at Lower Crossing and in Yukon at Upper Crossing also measured below average.
Scientists said the Peel River water level also measured below average for this time of year.
Unlike the Mackenzie River or the Fort Liard River, measures taken at the Peel River did not show signs of improvement since last year, with water levels even lower than data from 2025.
Martre River levels measured well below average, but were slightly higher than last year.
Taltson River showed average levels, which have also increased since this time in 2025.
While the Lockhart River and Hoarfrost River also showed average to above average levels, they were lower than last year at this time.
The Mountain River showed average levels that were also lower than levels from last year.
The Keele River also showed below average levels and decreases in comparison 2025’s data.
Data collected by scientists from May to early June, showed that precipitation across most of the territory was about average, with some variations. The town of Norman Wells saw above average precipitation.
Researchers noted that temperatures across most of the territory were above average overall since May.
The scientists behind the report predict above average temperatures will continue from June to August across most of the territory, especially in western and southern regions.
They said the Beaufort Sea coastline region will likely see “near normal” temperatures.
The scientists forecasted “near to below average” precipitation in the coming weeks across most of the territory, but above-average precipitation is predicted for southeastern regions.
