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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Western Irrigation District Canal near Headgates Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Western Irrigation District Canal near Headgates in Ontario, AB, Canada, built from official government gauge data.
- Location Ontario, AB, Canada
- Watershed central bow jumpingpond
- Primary gauge 05BM015 (Water Survey of Canada)
About Western Irrigation District Canal near Headgates
Western Irrigation District Canal - a vital channel for southwestern Alberta's agriculture.
The Western Irrigation District Canal near Headgates plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture in the region by conveying water for irrigation across the expansive farmlands of southwestern Alberta. This canal is part of the Central Bow - Jumpingpond watershed, which showcases the interconnectedness of water systems vital to farming and land management in this area. With a significant drainage area of approximately 10,100 square kilometres upstream, it channels water derived from a variety of sources, contributing to the agricultural activities that define this landscape.
The watershed context
The Central Bow - Jumpingpond watershed is characterized by its reliance on both mountain snowmelt and summer convective storms, which often deliver sharp rises in flow. Late spring sees peak water levels from the melting snow in the nearby foothills, while the summer months can yield strong rain events, contributing to the water supply in this critical irrigation system. Nearby waterways like Jumpingpound Creek and Nose Creek demonstrate the region's complex hydrology, all of which feed into the larger networks that sustain the area’s farming community.
Why the data matters here
Real-time monitoring through the Western Irrigation District Canal gauge provides vital information about water levels that directly affect irrigation planning and flood risk management. By comparing today's water reading against the historical median for this calendar day, users can gain insight into current conditions relative to typical patterns for this time of year. This knowledge empowers farmers and local stakeholders to make informed decisions about water use and prepares them for any potential challenges posed by rising or falling water levels. The Water Survey of Canada operates this gauge, ensuring reliable data for more than 13 years, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Alberta's vital irrigation sectors.
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
