Environment
GNWT releases new maps and planning guide for potential floods
The maps have been updated for the first time since the 1980s, and another five maps are expected to release before 2028
As Spring draws closer, the GNWT has seen fit to release a new set of maps the highlight the areas in the Territory that are most likely to be beset by river floods.
These maps are compiled with information gathered by community input, as well as data previously collected on flood hazard areas, with considerations made for the impact of climate change. These new maps will be replacing the existing maps from the 1980s.
The new flood maps have been made for the communities of Aklavik, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Nahanni Butte. More research is being actively conducted, and maps for Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Jean Marie River, and Tulita are expected to be released by 2028.
The maps have also been released alongside the “Planning in Flood Hazard Areas Guide,” which will be used by community governments to help update their emergency planning strategies.
The new maps predict that there is merely a 1 in 200 (0.5%) chance that any of the named communities will experience a full flood within the next 200 years. This is down from the previous maps’ estimations of a 1% chance.
Vince McKay, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, commented on the importance of the maps and the planning guide.
“The maps will guide flood mitigation activities, improve public safety, and empower residents and property owners to make informed decisions about their flood risks. The maps will also assist community governments in adopting best practices for community development and land use planning and will help the NWT better align with Public Safety Canada disaster assistance requirements.”
The maps and community guides were developed across multiple departments, including the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, and the Department of Finance’s NWT Centre for Geomatics. Funding for this project was primarily provided by the Government of Canada’s Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program.
“Flooding is becoming more frequent and severe across the Northwest Territories, and communities need reliable, current information to prepare and adapt.” Said Jay Macdonald, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in a statement.
“The new flood maps combine the best available science with Traditional and local knowledge, ensuring they reflect the realities facing communities today. These tools are a key part of the GNWT’s work to support community hazard mapping and strengthen local planning. By equipping communities with practical, accessible information, we are helping reduce risk, protecting people and infrastructure, and building a more resilient territory that is ready for emergencies.”
