Instrumented Sites

Instrumented water observation sites in lakes, rivers, wetlands, glaciers, and drainage basins across Canada

GWFO operates a national network of water observation sites that collect continuous and intermittent measurements of hydrometeorological conditions, water quantity and quality, ecological and biological indicators, contaminants, and other water-related variables. Some are long-term observatories with records spanning decades, while newer sites provide targeted observations in remote, data-sparse, and poorly understood regions, together delivering early warning of emerging water stresses and enabling detection of hydrological and water quality change.

These sites and their data are available to scientific and operational users through established access and data-sharing policies, supporting improved understanding and decision-making in the face of climate change and other human pressures.

Location of GWFO instrumented field sites and the major river basins they are situated within across Canada.

Find a Site 

CANO
Atlantic Highlands
Lead/Liaison
Edmundston
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Atlantic Maritime
 
Acadia Research Forest
''
Salmon River
Boreal Shield
 
Bernard
''
Forêt Montmorency
Kenauk
Mixedwood Plains
 
Covey Hill
''
Grand River Watershed   Servos Group
Mixedwood Plains
Lead/Liason
Economical Insurance Trail (EIT)
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Fairway
Glen Morris
Inverhaugh
Kiwnis Park
Manheim
West Montrose
Lower Great Lakes Observatory
Great Lakes
Lead/Liason
Eastern Basin Lake Erie
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Lake Erie
Western Lake Ontario
Mixedwood Plains
 
Fanshawe Reservoir
"
MECHE   MECHE Equipment
Pacific Maritime
Lead/Liason
Huckleberry Mine
Stephen Dery
University of Northern British Columbia

and

Julie Thériault
Université du Québec à Montréal
Terrace, BC
RAEON
Great Lakes
Lead/Liason
Lake Erie
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake Huron
Lake Ontario
Lake Superior
Lake Erie (Pigeon Bay)

 

Maggie Xenopoulos
Trent University
Water for Agriculture on the Canadian Prairies
Prairies
Lead/Liaison
Clavet Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Kenaston/Brightwater Creek Mesonet Site
Duck Lake
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
St. Denis National Wildlife Area
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Watershed Hydrology Group   Tombstone Waters Observatory
Boreal Cordillera
Lead/Liason
km 44 (Yin Yang Creek)
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 71 (Black Shale Creek)
Taiga Cordillera
 
km 99 (Slavin Creek)
"
km 104
km 175
km 185
Urban Ecohydrology Group    University of Waterloo GWFO Sites
Mixedwood Plains
Lead/Liason
Ajax Sewersheds (East & West) (Urban Ecohydrology 1)
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Richmond Hill Stormwater Pond (Urban Ecohydrology 2)
Lake Wilcox (Richmond Hill) (Urban Ecohydrology 3)
Bioretention Cell (Mississauga) (Urban Ecohydrology 4)
Stormwater Ponds (Kitchener) (Urban Ecohydrology 5)
Boreal Cordillera
 
Bologna Glacier
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Wolf Creek Research Basin
Sean Carey
McMaster University
Boreal Plains
 
Hannin Creek
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Peace-Athabasca Delta
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Saskatchewan River Delta
 Tim Jardine
University of Saskatchewan
Boreal Shield
 
Nibi [Water] Observatory for Boreal Ecohydrological Landscapes
Mike Waddington
McMaster University
Turkey Lakes Watershed
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
Mixedwood Plains
Lead/Liason
Elora Research Station
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
rare Charitable Research Reserve
Alder Creek Smart Watershed
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Turkey Point Environmental Observatory
Altaf Arain
McMaster University
Montane Cordillera
 
Sibbald Wetlands
Cherie Westbrook
University of Saskatchewan
Lake O'Hara
Masaki Hayashi
University of Calgary
Prairies
 
Chappell Marsh Conservation Area
Krys Chutko
University of Saskatchewan
Buffalo Pound Lake
 
Helen Baulch
University of Saskatchewan
Outlook CAN-SK Irrigation Diversification Centre
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
W.A. Ranches Soil Moisture Mesonet
Alain Pietroniro
University of Calgary 
Taiga Plains
 
Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
Heidi Swanson
Wilfrid Laurier University
Kakisa & Tathlina Lakes
Bogg Creek
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Havikpak Creek
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Smith Creek
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Fire Ecology Network
Taiga Shield
 
Baker Creek Watershed
Jennifer Baltzer
Wildrid Laurier University
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Southern Arctic
 
Trail Valley Creek
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Atlantic Highlands
Lead/Liaison
Edmundston
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Atlantic Maritime
 
Acadia Research Forest
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
''
Salmon River
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Boreal Plains
Lead/Liaison
Hannin Creek
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan

Fen - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Old Black Spruce (OBS) - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Old Jack Pine (OJP) - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Saskatchewan River Delta
Tim Jardine
University of Saskatchewan
Peace–Athabasca Delta
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Boreal Shield
 
Turkey Lakes Watershed
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
Nibi (Water) Observatory for Boreal Ecohydrological Landscapes (NOBEL)
Mike Waddington
McMaster University
Bernard
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
 
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Forêt Montmorency
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Kenauk
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Great Lakes
Lead/Liaison
Lake Superior
RAEON
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake Huron
RAEON
Lake Erie
RAEON
Lake Ontario
RAEON
Lake Erie (Lower Great Lakes Observatory)
Lower Great Lakes Observatory
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Eastern Basin Lake Erie  (Lower Great Lakes Observatory)
Lower Great Lakes Observatory
Western Lake Ontario (Lower Great Lakes Observatory)
Lower Great Lakes Observatory
Lake Erie, Pigeon Bay (RAEON)
RAEON
Maggie Xenopoulos
Trent University

 

Mixedwood Plains
 
Alder Creek Smart Watershed
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Covey Hill
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
 
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Fanshawe Reservoir
Lower Great Lakes Observatory
 
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Economical Insurance Trail (EIT)
Grand River Watershed
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Fairway 
Grand River Watershed
Glen Morris 
Grand River Watershed
Inverhaugh 
Grand River Watershed
Kiwanis Park
Grand River Watershed
Manheim 
Grand River Watershed
West Montrose 
Grand River Watershed
Elora Agricultural Research Station
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
rare Charitable Research Reserve
Turkey Point Environmental Observatory
Altaf Arain
McMaster University
Ajax Sewersheds (East & West) (Urban Ecohydrology 1)
Urban Ecohydrology 
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Richmond Hill Stormwater Pond  (Urban Ecohydrology 2)
Urban Ecohydrology
Lake Wilcox (Richmond Hill) (Urban Ecohydrology 3)
Urban Ecohydrology
Bioretention Cell (Mississauga)  (Urban Ecohydrology 4)
Urban Ecohydrology
Stormwater Ponds (Kitchener) (Urban Ecohydrology 5)
Urban Ecohydrology
Prairies
Lead/Liaison
Duck Lake
Sask Ag-Water Site
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
St. Denis National Wildlife Area
Sask Ag-Water Site
Clavet Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence
Sask Ag-Water Site
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Kenaston/Brightwater Creek Mesonet Site
Sask Ag-Water Site
Outlook CAN-SK Irrigation Diversification Centre
Buffalo Pound Lake
Helen Baulch
University of Saskatchewan
Chappell Marsh Conservation Area
Krys Chutko
University of Saskatchewan
W.A. Ranches Soil Moisture Mesonet
Alain Pietroniro
University of Calgary 
Taiga Plains
Lead/Liaison
Bogg Creek
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
Heidi Swanson
Wilfrid Laurier University
Kakisa and Tathlina Lakes
Fire Ecology Network
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Smith Creek
Havikpak Creek
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Taiga Shield
 
Baker Creek
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Southern Arctic
 
Trail Valley Creek
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Site
Drainage Basin
Terrestrial Ecoregion
Lead/Liaison
Acadia Research Forest
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Seaboard Atlantic Highlands
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal 
Ajax Sewersheds (East & West) (Urban Ecohydrology 1)
Urban Ecohydrology
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo 
Alder Creek Smart Watershed
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Athabasca Glacier Research Basin
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Mackenzie River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Baker Creek Watershed
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Shield
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Bernard
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
St. Lawrence Boreal Shield
 Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Bioretention Cell (Mississauga) (Urban Ecohydrology 4)
Urban Ecohydrology  
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Bogg Creek Watershed
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
David Rudolph
University of Waterloo
Bologna Glacier
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Boreal Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Bow River Headwaters (Bow Hut)
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Buffalo Pound Lake
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Helen Baulch
University of Saskatchewan
Burstall Creek
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Chappell Marsh Conservation Area
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Krys Chutko
University of Saskatchewan
Clavet Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE)
Sask Ag-Water Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Covey Hill
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Heidi Swanson
Wilfrid Laurier University
Duck Lake
Sask Ag-Water Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Eastern Basin Lake Erie
Lower Great Lakes Observatories
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Economical Insurance Trail (EIT)
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Edmundston
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Seaboard Atlantic Highlands
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal 
Elora Research Station
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
Fairway
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Fanshawe Reservoir
Lower Great Lakes Observatories
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Fen - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Boreal Plains
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Fire Ecology Network
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Forêt Montmorency
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Boreal Shield
 Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Fortress Mountain
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Glen Morris
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Hannin Creek
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Boreal Plains
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Havikpak Creek
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Helen Creek Research Basin
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Huckleberry Mine
Monitoring Extreme Climate and Hydrometeorological Events (MECHE)
Fraser River Basin Pacific Maritime
Stephen Dery
University of Northern British Columbia
Julie Thériault
Université du Québec à Montréal
Inverhaugh
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Kakisa & Tathlina Lakes
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Heidi Swanson
Wilfrid Laurier University
Kenaston/Brightwater Creek Mesonet Site
Sask Ag-Water Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Kenauk
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Boreal Shield
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal 
Kiwnis Park
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
km 104
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 175
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 185
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 44 (Yin Yang Creek)
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Yukon River Basin Boreal Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 71 (Black Shale Creek)
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Yukon River Basin Boreal Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
km 99
Tombstone Waters Observatory (TWO)
Watershed Hydrology Group
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University
Lake Erie
Lower Great Lakes Observatories
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Lake Erie
Real-time Aquatic Ecology Observation Network (RAEON)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake Erie (Pigeon Bay)
Real-time Aquatic Ecology Observation Network (RAEON)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Maggie Xenopoulos
Trent University
Lake Huron
Real-time Aquatic Ecology Observation Network (RAEON)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake O'Hara
Stand-Alone Site
Columbia River Basin Montane Cordillera
Masaki Hayashi
University of Calgary
Lake Ontario
Real-time Aquatic Ecology Observation Network (RAEON)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake Superior
Real-time Aquatic Ecology Observation Network (RAEON)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Aaron Fisk
University of Windsor
Lake Wilcox (Richmond Hill) (Urban Ecohydrology 3)
Urban Ecohydrology  
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Manheim
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Marmot Creek Research Basin
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
Nibi [Water] Observatory for Boreal Ecohydrological Landscapes
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Boreal Shield
Mike Waddington
McMaster University
Old Black Spruce (OBS) - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Boreal Plains
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Old Jack Pine (OJP) - White Gull Creek, SK
Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Boreal Plains
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Outlook CAN-SK Irrigation Diversification Centre
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Warren Helgason
University of Saskatchewan
Peace-Athabasca Delta
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Boreal Plains
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
Peyto Glacier Research Basin
Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (CRHO)
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
John Pomeroy
University of Saskatchewan
rare Charitable Research Reserve
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
Richmond Hill Stormwater Pond (Urban Ecohydrology 2)
Urban Ecohydrology  
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Salmon River
Cloud to Aquifer Natural Observatories (CANO)
Seaboard Atlantic Maritime
Julie Thériault and Marie Laroque
Université du Québec à Montréal
Saskatchewan River Delta
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Boreal Plains
Tim Jardine
University of Saskatchewan
Sibbald Wetlands
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Montane Cordillera
Cherie Westbrook
University of Saskatchewan
Smith Creek
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Taiga Plains
Jennifer Baltzer
Wilfrid Laurier University
St. Denis National Wildlife Area
Sask Ag-Water Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Andrew Ireson
University of Saskatchewan
Chris Spence
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Stormwater Ponds (Kitchener) (Urban Ecohydrology 5)
Urban Ecohydrology  
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Terrace, BC
Monitoring Extreme Climate and Hydrometeorological Events (MECHE)
Skeena River Basin Pacific Maritime
Stephen Dery
University of Northern British Columbia
Julie Thériault
Université du Québec à Montréal
Trail Valley Creek
Stand-Alone Site
Mackenzie River Basin Southern Arctic
Phil Marsh
Wilfrid Laurier University
Turkey Lakes Watershed
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Boreal Shield
Fereidoun Rezanezhad
University of Waterloo
Turkey Point Environmental Observatory
Stand-Alone Site
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Altaf Arain
McMaster University
W.A. Ranches Soil Moisture Mesonet
Stand-Alone Site
Nelson-Saskatchewan River Basin Prairies
Alain Pietroniro
University of Calgary 
West Montrose
Grand River Watershed
Servos Group
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Mixedwood Plains
Mark Servos
University of Waterloo
Western Lake Ontario
Lower Great Lakes Observatories
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Great Lakes
Philippe Van Cappellen
University of Waterloo
Wolf Creek Research Basin
Stand-Alone Site
Yukon River Basin Boreal Cordillera
Sean Carey
McMaster University

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