GNWT Releases 2026 Spring Water Outlook

Press Release

April 23, 2026

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its 2026 Spring Water Outlook, providing an early assessment of water levels and flood risk across the territory as spring melt begins.

The outlook, prepared by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC), indicates that water levels across much of the Northwest Territories are currently lower than normal following several years of warm, dry conditions. Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake remain at low levels, continuing a trend observed over the past several years.

Snowpack across the territory is generally near normal overall; it is higher than normal in southern and western basins and lower than normal in parts of the North Slave and Sahtu regions.

While current water levels are low across much of the territory, above-average snowpack in the Slave and Liard river basins, combined with a delayed spring melt, could result in near-normal spring flows. Conditions can change quickly depending on the weather, and residents should always be prepared for the possibility of spring flooding.

Flood risk across the NWT is expected to be generally near normal but remains highly dependent on spring weather conditions. Rapid warming or heavy rainfall during break-up could increase the risk of ice jam flooding, which is the most common cause of spring flooding in the territory.

Communities identified as more susceptible to flooding include:

Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, and Nahanni Butte
Tulita and Fort Good Hope
Fort McPherson and Aklavik

The outlook notes that even in years with lower water levels, ice jams can still occur and cause rapid increases in water levels.

ECC will continue to monitor conditions closely throughout the spring and provide regular updates on water levels, river ice conditions, and break-up progression.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential flooding each year.

Quote

“While water levels remain low in many parts of the Northwest Territories, higher-than-normal snowpack in key southern basins could result in near-normal spring flows. Flood risk in the NWT is always closely tied to weather conditions during break-up, and ice jams can occur even in years with lower water levels. We encourage residents, especially those in flood-prone communities, to stay informed and be prepared.”

– Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

Water levels across much of the Northwest Territories are currently lower than normal, continuing a trend linked to recent warm and dry conditions.
Flood risk is generally near normal, but remains highly dependent on spring weather, with ice jam flooding possible in any year.