Nibi Metrics
Real-time water levels, forecasts, and alerts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US. Built on official government data.
Nibi Metrics turns raw gauge readings from official hydrometric networks into something a person standing on a dock can actually use: is the water high or low for today, which way is it moving, and how unusual is this? This page explains where every number on the platform comes from and what we do to it along the way.
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Cold Lake Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Cold Lake in Canada, SK, Canada, built from official government gauge data.
- Location Canada, SK, Canada
- Watershed waterhen sask
- Primary gauge 06AF001 (Water Survey of Canada)
About Cold Lake
Cold Lake - a vital body in the Waterhen Watershed.
Cold Lake, located in Saskatchewan, is a significant lake that forms the outlet for the Cold River. With a substantial drainage area of approximately 6,550 square kilometers, the lake plays a crucial role in the hydrology of the Waterhen Watershed. This waterbody reflects the Prairie hydrology characteristics, experiencing a snowmelt-driven spring peak followed by long summer recessions.
The watershed context
The Waterhen watershed encompasses a diverse landscape where Cold Lake acts as a key player in local water dynamics. The region's hydrology is predominantly influenced by snowmelt runoff in spring, leading to sharp peaks in water levels. As temperatures rise during the summer, evaporation and reduced inflow contribute to lower water levels, a pattern typical of the Prairie climate.
Cold Lake is part of a wider ecological network that includes various lakes and rivers, although it currently stands prominent without nearby peers noted in the metadata. This positioning enhances its significance within the local ecosystem and reinforces its influence on downstream hydrological measures.
Why the data matters here
Data from the Cold River at the outlet of Cold Lake is integral for understanding water conditions in the area. By monitoring this site, users can gain insights into seasonal water trends, vital for cottagers, anglers, and landowners. Recent measurements compared to the historical median for today's date provide a robust indication of current conditions relative to typical levels across the 32 years of recorded data. This approach, which the Water Survey of Canada employs, offers a clearer picture than raw elevation data alone. By tracking these changes, stakeholders can better prepare for and respond to the variations typical of this dynamic Prairie landscape.
How this page is built
Readings come from official government gauges and are rolled into daily records: the daily mean, high and low for every day on record. Each calendar day gets its own baseline from the full history, so the level you see is compared against what this specific date usually looks like rather than an annual average.
How Nibi Metrics works · Water stories
