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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Waterton Lake Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Waterton Lake in 1-29,30-W4, AB, Canada, built from official government gauge data.
- Location 1-29,30-W4, AB, Canada
- Watershed central oldman belly
- Primary gauge 05AD025 (Water Survey of Canada)
About Waterton Lake
Waterton Lake - A vital waterway of the Central Oldman-Belly Watershed.
Waterton Lake, nestled within the scenic confines of Waterton Park in Alberta, is an integral part of the Central Oldman-Belly watershed. Covering a drainage area of approximately 405 square kilometres, this lake is not only a point of natural beauty but also an essential water source for the surrounding ecology and communities. Known for its striking landscapes and diverse wildlife, Waterton Lake is a significant feature of the local environment.
The watershed context
The Central Oldman-Belly watershed plays an important role in southern Alberta's hydrological network, benefiting from the mountain snowmelt that drives the late-spring peak flows. This seasonal rhythm inherently influences the lake’s water level and its overall dynamics. In the summer, convective storms frequently sweep across the prairie, potentially leading to sharp rises in water levels that can impact the ecosystem and anyone engaging in summer activities around the lake.
As a member of this watershed, Waterton Lake stands alongside other notable water bodies, like the Prairie Blood Coulee near Lethbridge, further enriching the region's hydrology. Understanding the relationship between these lakes and streams informs not only environmental management but also recreational and economic activities in the area.
Why the data matters here
Monitoring the water levels at Waterton Lake is crucial for various reasons. By utilizing data from the gauge at Waterton Park, the Water Survey of Canada offers insights into the lake's current conditions, particularly compared to its historical averages. Today's reading helps you understand how the lake's level holds against the median for this calendar day, derived from 49 years of record-keeping.
Measuring against the median provides context beyond mere elevation figures; it reflects the seasonal changes and typical water level expectations for this time of year. A reading that's significantly higher or lower can signal upcoming changes that may affect both the natural environment and human activities connected to the lake. Thus, the ongoing data collection and monitoring are indispensable for ensuring the health of Waterton Lake and its ecosystem.
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
