Easy to Access Data
Have you ever wondered how much rain fell after a storm and how that rainfall affects our rivers and streams? You can find out in just a few clicks.
For over 15 years, we’ve collected real-time data across the Credit River Watershed. Our monitoring network tracks rainfall, water levels, water quality and weather. This information allows us to better understand, predict and warn about flooding, threats to water quality and low water levels.
Now, for the first time, this data is available to download.
Data Available to Everyone
Whether you’re a researcher modeling climate impacts, a municipality planning stormwater upgrades, a student or simply curious about your local environment, you can access real-time information, updated continuously from across the Credit River Watershed.
What We Monitor
Unlike traditional water sampling, which is done periodically or after specific storm events, our sensors provide continuous updates. This gives us a detailed, hour by hour view of the conditions of our rivers and streams. Here’s what our monitoring network tracks:
- Rainfall and Weather Data: Our stations track how much precipitation falls and how fast. This helps us understand how water moves across the landscape. This data is essential for flood forecasting, especially during intense rain events, when flooding risks are at their highest.
- River Water Levels and Flow Rates: By tracking water levels and flow in the Credit River and its tributaries, we can better prepare for potential flooding and assess the impacts of climate change and land use on the water cycle in the watershed.
- Water Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen: Fish and other aquatic life depend on specific temperature ranges and oxygen levels to survive. Real-time monitoring helps us detect conditions that can be harmful to aquatic life, especially in the summer.
- Water Clarity: Sudden spikes in turbidity, or “cloudiness,” can signal erosion, construction runoff or pollution events. Continuous monitoring means we can detect changes and share information with the appropriate authorities.
- Chloride Levels from Road Salt: Winter maintenance can cause salt levels in our waterways to rise. Chloride monitoring shows us when spikes after snow clearing happen and how long waterways take to recover.
Why Real-time Matters
Real-time data powers our Flood Forecasting and Warning program to help protect people and property from flooding. It also supports spill detection, accurate watershed modelling and long-term tracking of environmental change.
This data also helps with climate change research, land use and infrastructure planning and education, bringing environmental science to life for our communities.
Explore our Real-time Data
We’re excited to make this valuable resource available. View and download our real-time data.
If you have questions or comments on real-time data, connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
By Lorna Murison, Coordinator, Real-Time Water Quality