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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North Duck River at Cowan Water Level
Live water level, flow, historical records and forecast for North Duck River at Cowan in Canada, MB, Canada, built from official government gauge data.
- Location Canada, MB, Canada
- Watershed southwestern lake winnipeg pine man
- Primary gauge 05LG004 (Water Survey of Canada)
About North Duck River at Cowan
North Duck River - a key conduit in Manitoba's prairie landscape.
The North Duck River at Cowan flows steadily through the heart of Manitoba, serving as an important natural feature in the Southwestern Lake Winnipeg - Pine watershed. With a drainage area of approximately 230 square kilometres above the station, this river is crucial for local hydrology, especially during significant seasonal shifts.
The watershed context
Situated in a region defined by prairie hydrology, the North Duck River experiences a distinctive annual rhythm marked by spring snowmelt, which often leads to floods—most notably among the nearby Assiniboine and Red basins. This flood event defines the hydrological cycle and sets the stage for summer's gradual recession, as inflows decrease and evaporation increases. As a chokepoint river, the North Duck River plays a vital role in managing these fluctuating water levels, impacting not only the surrounding ecosystem but also the activities of local communities that depend on the river's flow.
Despite its more rural setting, the North Duck River interacts with various smaller tributaries, including the Garland River near Garland. These connecting waters contribute to the overall vitality and ecological balance of the area.
Why the data matters here
Water monitoring at the North Duck River is handled by the Water Survey of Canada (WSC), which provides vital data to understand current river conditions. Today's reading can be compared against the median for this calendar day drawn from over 49 years of historical data. This comparison is significant as it helps gauge not just the immediate water levels, but also patterns of flow and potential flood risks in the region, offering insights that raw elevation figures alone cannot convey. Understanding these dynamics is essential for local residents, farmers, and anyone who relies on the river's resources throughout the seasons.
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
