Real Time Streamflow and Climate Information

Description and History of System

In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, near real time streamflow and climate data is collected from remote sites via the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system owned by the United States governments National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and operated by the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). At the present time there are over 100 Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) in operation in the province.

In 1986 the Water Resources Management Division developed a series of microcomputer based programs called the Automatic Data Retrieval System (ADRS) which automatically collects, processes and distributes this information.

Some milestones for this system have been:

1991 - ADRS v4.0 enters operation
1996 - webpage for ADRS graphs added to ADRS v4.0
2001 - Start of development of ADRS v5.0 for water quality
2006 - Start of development of ADRS v6.0 for all real time data
2009 - ADRS v4.0 ends operation

The following is a brief description of how the ADRS operates and a graphic depicting the system is also available.

The primary use of ADRS data in the Water Resources Division is for flood forecasting and other users of ADRS data include federal field service personnel with Environment Canada, other government agencies (federal, provincial and municipal), hydropower companies and a variety of recreational users.

Graphs

All Real Time Water Resources Data and Web Cameras

Disclaimer

Provisional Near-Real-time Streamflow and Climate Data displayed on these pages are obtained from a network of gauges maintained under the Canada-Newfoundland Hydrometric Network Agreement. The operation of the network is cost shared by federal and provincial government departments and private companies.

Due to the volume and frequent updating of the data available on this Web site the streamflow and climate data is PROVISIONAL and has not undergone quality control checks. These data may be subject to significant change. Some of the factors that may affect the stage-discharge relationship and other measurements include:

backwater from ice or debris jams
sediment movement or erosion
malfunction of sensors or recording equipment

Data are reviewed on a regular basis by Environment Canada personnel to ensure accuracy. Each station record is considered PROVISIONAL until the data are published. The data are usually available within six months of the end of the water year. The publication quality data is distributed yearly by Environment Canada on a for all streamflow gauging stations in Canada.

Before using this data in making decisions that concern personal or public safety, substantial monetary expenditures, or other operational consequences, users must carefully consider the provisional nature of the information.

Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of these data or concerning other hydrologic data may be obtained by contacting Howie Wills, Environmental Monitoring at: