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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Footprint Lake Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Footprint Lake in 78,79-9,10-W, MB, Canada, built from official government gauge data.
- Location 78,79-9,10-W, MB, Canada
- Watershed central burntwood
- Primary gauge 05TF001 (Water Survey of Canada)
About Footprint Lake
Footprint Lake - A serene water body in Manitoba.
Footprint Lake, situated in Manitoba's Central Burntwood watershed, serves as a significant ecological and hydrological feature in the region. With a catchment area of approximately 1,440 square kilometers draining into it, the lake plays a crucial role in the local water system. While there are no major river connections to discuss, it is linked to the Footprint River located upstream.
The watershed context
The Central Burntwood watershed encompasses a diverse range of habitats and natural features. Footprint Lake, cradled within this watershed, is part of a broader ecosystem that supports both flora and fauna, vital for maintaining the area's biodiversity. The larger watershed context often influences the lake's water levels and health, which can be affected by seasonal variations in precipitation and runoff from surrounding lands.
Manitoba’s prairie hydrology is defined by significant events throughout the year, with spring snowmelt often leading to elevated water levels. Following this peak, summer typically ushers in a period of recession as evaporation rates increase and inflow declines. This seasonal pattern is crucial for understanding how Footprint Lake behaves as a water body within the Central Burntwood watershed.
Why the data matters here
Monitoring the water levels in Footprint Lake, specifically through the gauge at Nelson House, provides valuable insights into the lake's health and regional hydrology. As of today, the current water level reading can be compared to the historical median for this calendar day over the past 50 years. This comparison is vital, as it offers a clearer understanding of water fluctuations rather than relying solely on raw elevation data. It highlights trends and potential shifts in hydrology that may result from climate variations or local environmental changes, making it an important resource for those interested in maintaining ecological balance in the area.
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
