Water levels in the NWT are generally lower than average so far this April, with some exceptions, according to the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC).

On the plus side, levels in Great Slave Lake have been recovering slowly since record low levels were recorded during the summers of 2023 and 2024. As of the most recently reported reading, the lake was about 30 cm higher than this time last year, according to ECC.

"This is largely in response to water levels on the Slave River being close to average since December of 2024," stated ECC's Spring Water Outlook, issued on April 16. "(The) Slave River water level is approximately 40 cm higher than this time last year."

As more snow and ice melt across the territory, the department says it will provide regular updates on current water levels and river ice conditions. According to ECC, the summer and fall of 2024 were warmer and drier than normal across most of the NWT.

"These warm and dry conditions have resulted in continued low water levels that have persisted since the late summer of 2022," the territorial government states.

It also says that river flows and lake water levels near Yellowknife are average or below average. However, flows on rivers draining into the eastern branch of Great Slave Lake are either above average or well above average.

"Flows on rivers north of Yellowknife (e.g. Snare, Coppermine) are approximately average," ECC indicated.

ECC advised that an average to above average snowpack will boost soil moisture levels.

"As a result, water levels on most local lakes and rivers should be higher than in 2024, so long as there is average rainfall this summer."

For the NWT, snowpack across the territory has generally been average, ECC noted. Snowfall was, however, higher than normal in the eastern and southeastern portions of the territory.

"Above-average snowpack was observed specifically for the Yellowknife River basin and the Taltson River basin. Snowpack for all other basins was approximately average to below average," according to ECC.

Winter air temperatures in the NWT were warmer than average during the 2024-25 winter season. ECC states this, in part, affects the thickness of the river ice.

Parts of the NWT are still struggling with low water levels. In the Tlicho region, for example, water levels on the La Martre River and the Camsell River are the lowest on record, ECC states.

It also predicts that spring flows in Fort Liard and Jean Marie River will be lower than normal, but suggests the potential for flooding in Nahanni Butte will be average and highly dependent on rainfall events in mid-to-late June.

ECC stressed that communities should prepare for spring flooding potential and be aware that water levels can rise quickly in response to ice jams.