Rising Waters: How Streamflow is Increasing in the Southern Taiga Plains

This research helps us understand how climate change, permafrost thaw, and wildfire impact water systems to help predict future changes.

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Info additionnelle

Champ Valeur
Creator NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program
Summary Streamflow has increased across Taiga Plains catchments over the last 50 years, but not everywhere at the same rate. At Scotty Creek in the Dehcho region and the La Martre River in the Wekʼèezhìi region, we found that permafrost thaw is increasing groundwater flow to streams. Wildfires are speeding this up and in the Wekʼèezhìi region, more rain over time has added to the increase. To better understand and predict future changes, we are using field data to develop a hydrologic model of the La Martre River to support water management decisions and habitat protection.
Local Relevance This research supports sustainable water management, habitat conservation, and planning in NWT communities as the climate continues to change.
Notes This bulletin is part of the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program's NWT Environmental Research Bulletin series - Volume 10, Issue 79.
Mots-clés Streams,Taiga Plains,Permafrost thaw,Wildfire,Hydrologic models,Adaptation
Geographic Region NWT
Release Date 2025
Last Modified Date 2025
Funding Program NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program