A3. Water: Federal Sources

15. Water Survey of Canada (HYDAT)

Legislation

Established in 1908 by the federal government for water resource management and monitoring.

Applies to

About 2,800 active hydrometric monitoring stations across Canada. There are 603 active stations in Ontario as of 2017.

Prepared by

Federal/provincial staff

Submitted to/publication requirements

Data maintained on HYDAT, "the archival database that contains all water information collected through the National Hydrometric Program." See: https://ec.gc.ca/rhc-wsc/default.asp?lang=En&n=894E91BE-1

Due date/ frequency

Ongoing monitoring.

Some real-time data available for certain stations (within the last day, usually).

Minimum data requirements

WSC monitors daily and monthly mean flow, water level, and sediment concentrations for hydrometric monitoring stations across Canada. Fields include:

  • Mapping coordinates
  • Period of record
  • Historical data (no. of years varies)
  • Type of water body
  • Name of water body
  • Real time data
  • Primary water level (m)
  • Discharge (cubic metres/second)
  • Drainage area for rivers

Geographical coordinates in the spreadsheet allow for mapping.

May also include

For some sites, peaks and extremes are also recorded.

Other information

https://www.ec.gc.ca/rhc-wsc/default.asp?lang=En&n=4EED50F1-1

16. Groundwater Information Network

Legislation

2005: Mandate re-enforced by the Senate of Canada to map Canadian aquifers. See:

https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/381/enrg/rep/rep13nov05-e.htm

Applies to

Groundwater resources in Canada, provincial water wells, monitoring networks, Geological Survey of Canada data

Who prepares it

Federal-provincial collaborations between the Geological Survey of Canada, and for Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Ministry Natural Resources and Forestry, conservation authorities.

Submitted to/ publication requirements

Groundwater Information Network (GIN) is a data access portal. All data resides at host organizations and is previously published.

Due date/ frequency

Ongoing.

Minimum data requirements

Working with OGS to consolidate and deliver from a database OGS subsurface studies of surficial geology

Issues/ drawbacks

Much of the information is also available from provincial ministries.

Other information

Ongoing discussions with MOECC on how to assist enhance data delivery in Ontario. See: http://gin.gw-info.net/

17. Canadian Drought Monitor

Legislation

Part of the North American Drought Monitor, a cooperative effort between drought experts in Canada, Mexico, and the United States established in 2002.

Applies to

All of Canada

Prepared by

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Submitted to/publication requirements

Published online in the form of a map, with an accompanying written summary of conditions in four major regions (Western, Central, Atlantic, Northern): http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/programs-and-services/list-of-programs-and-services/drought-watch/canadian-drought-monitor/current-drought-conditions/?id=1467724907072

Due date/ frequency

Monthly. Results published about a week after the end of each month.

Minimum data requirements

Five drought levels, in order of severity: Abnormally Dry, Moderate Drought, Severe Drought, Extreme Drought, and Exceptional Drought.

Data fields include:

  • Severity of drought level
  • Size of affected area (spatial)

Other information

Uses federal, provincial, and regional data. "CDM is developed from an assortment of sources, such as: various precipitation and temperature indicators, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery, streamflow values, Palmer Drought Index, Standardized Precipitation Index; as well as drought indicators used by the agriculture, forestry, and water management sectors. Drought-prone regions are analyzed based on precipitation, temperature, drought model index maps, and climate data; and are interpreted by federal, provincial, and academic scientists. Once a consensus is reached, a monthly map showing drought designations for Canada is produced and used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to assess the current drought risk to agriculture." See: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/programs-and-services/list-of-programs-and-services/drought-watch/canadian-drought-monitor/about-the-canadian-drought-monitor/?id=1463576995558