which province in canada has the most fresh water

Full Answer

How much of Canada's freshwater supply is actually used?

While abundant, the remaining fresh water supply is heavily used. Estimates of Canada’s fresh water supply vary from 5.6 percent to 9 percent to 20 percent of the total water supply. This depends on how ‘fresh water’ is defined – whether it means ‘existing’, ‘usable’, or ‘available’.

Where does Canada's fresh water come from?

Canada's fresh water can be found in the form of rivers, lakes, groundwater, ice, and snow. Considering that on an average annual basis, Canadian rivers discharge close to 7% of the world's renewable water supply, Canada appears to have a generous water endowment.

What is the land and freshwater area of Canada?

The Canadian province and territories vary greatly in land and freshwater area as presented in the list below. Canada has a great abundance of freshwater. Canada is the largest country in the world with an area of 3.85 million square miles. A significant portion of the land area is covered by forests, tundra, and freshwater lakes.

What are the 10 major bodies of water in Canada?

1 Yukon: Kluana Lake. 2 Saskatchewan: Lake Athabasca. 3 Quebec: Caniapiscau Reservoir. 4 Ontario: Lake Superior. 5 Nunuvat: Nettilling Lake. 6 Northwest Territories: Great Bear Lake. 7 Newfoundland and Labrador: Smallwood Reservoir. 8 New Brunswick: Grand Lake. 9 Manitoba: Lake Winnipeg. 10 British Columbia: Williston Lake. More items...

Where is the largest fresh water source in Canada?

The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River watershed is one of the world's largest freshwater ecosystems. It contains about 84 percent of all the freshwater in North America, and is also home to about 30 million people. The watershed makes up lands in both the United States and Canada.

Which province has the best drinking water in Canada?

A small neighbourhood in Abbotsford, B.C. has the best municipal tap water in world.

What Canadian province has the most lakes?

While most of Canada may not think water and Prairies go together, residents of Saskatchewan and those who have visited the province know otherwise. The province is home to roughly 100,000 lakes, more than enough to satisfy water and fishing enthusiasts alike.

What Canadian province contains 1/5 of the world's fresh water?

Here are some key facts about Ontario: Ontario's more than 250,000 lakes contain about one-fifth of the world's fresh water.

Where is the purest water in Canada?

Canada. Canada is also one of the cleanest water sources in the world. Specifically, it is the town of Springwater near Toronto. Water in the Springwater in Canada is so clean that it contains five times less lead than frozen Arctic glaciers.

Where is the most polluted water in Canada?

Two regions – Eastern Lake Huron and the Lake Ontario and Niagara Peninsula subwatershed – share the dubious distinction of being the most disturbed in Canada because of a combination of seven threat factors, including high pollution levels, water use and fragmentation, among others shown in the accompanying maps.

Which country has most freshwater?

Brazil has highest freshwater resources in the world which is accounts for approximately 12% of the world's freshwater resources....Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources.CountryFreshwater (Cubic Kilometres)Brazil8,233Russia4,508United States3,069Canada2,9026 more rows•Sep 20, 2018

Which Canadian province has the most rivers?

Table#NameProvinces, states1Mackenzie RiverNorthwest Territories2Yukon RiverBritish Columbia, Yukon, Alaska3Saint Lawrence RiverMinnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Quebec4Nelson RiverManitoba31 more rows

Which province has one of the Seven Wonders of the world?

A highly distinctive feature on the map of Canada at the Quebec-Nunavut border in Hudson Bay, the greatest natural 'wonder' of our country has greatly eluded public notice.

Which country holds 20% of the world's freshwater?

CanadaOTTAWA — Canada has about 20 percent of the planet's freshwater resources, sits astride the largest freshwater body of water in the world — the Great Lakes — and has so many power dams along its mighty rivers that when Canadians talk about electricity, they often just call it “hydro.”

Who owns the most water in the world?

Boone Pickens owned more water rights than any other individuals in America, with rights over enough of the Ogallala Aquifer to drain approximately 200,000 acre-feet (or 65 billion gallons of water) a year. But ordinary citizen Gary Harrington cannot collect rainwater runoff on 170 acres of his private land.

Does Canada have 20% of the world's fresh water?

How much fresh water does Canada have? Canada has 7% of the world's renewable fresh water. It is easy for Canadians to assume that they have an almost endless supply of clean, fresh water. After all, we're often told that Canada has some 20% of the world's total freshwater resources.

What's the best water to drink in Canada?

Montellier is by far the water with the lowest pH, coming in at 4.30 on the meter test (no surprise, since it is a natural carbonated spring water). Marketed as Canada's Carbonated Natural Spring Water, this water comes in both cans and bottles in flavoured and unflavoured varieties.

What's the best water in Canada?

Greenwood, B.C, residents can now say they have the best tap water in the world, according to an international water tasting competition. Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle sent a sample of the city's municipal drinking water to the Berkley Springs International Water Tasting 22nd annual competition in West Virginia.

Does BC have the cleanest water?

A small B.C. neighbourhood has been given the title of best tap water in the world. Clearbrook in Abbotsford came in first in the municipal water winners in Canada.

What place has best tap water?

Switzerland. If you've ever been to Switzerland, it probably won't surprise you that the alpine nation is home to some of the world's cleanest tap water. ... Canada. ... United Kingdom. ... New Zealand. ... Singapore. ... Germany. ... Scandinavia and Finland. ... Castle Water Partnership with Save the children.

Which is the most populous province in Canada?

Ontario is the most populous of the provinces and territories with its total population being 40% of the country’s population. The province has 17.8% of the total national freshwater lakes and is home to the biggest lake in Canada, Lake Superior. Lake Superior which is located at the US-Canadian border is also the biggest freshwater lake globally ...

Which province has the largest land area?

Quebec. Quebec is has the largest land area out of all provinces, not including territories. The province has a total land area covering 595,391 square miles which is about 15% of the total area of the country. Quebec also has many lakes which occupy about 12% of the total area.

What is the territory of Nunavut?

The territory of Nunavut is located in the north of the country . Nunavut is the largest of all Canadian provinces and territories with a land area of 747537 square miles and fresh water cover an area of 60647.7 square miles. The land area and fresh water bodies cover a total of about 808185.2 square miles, which is equivalent to the size of Western Europe or 21% of the whole land cover of Canada. However, Nunavut is also the least populated territory in Canada with a population of about 35,000 people spread within its expansive borders hence translating to a population density of 0.005 persons per square mile. The territory is home to many lakes with the largest of them being the Nettilling Lake which covers 2,140 square miles.

What is the largest country in the world?

Canada has a great abundance of freshwater. Canada is the largest country in the world with an area of 3.85 million square miles. A significant portion of the land area is covered by forests, tundra, and freshwater lakes.

What is the largest lake in the Northwest Territories?

The majority of the territory has an extreme climate due to its proximity to the North Pole. The Northwest Territories also has biggest Lake Great Bear Lake covering an area of 12,096 square miles. Northwest Territories is home to Canada’s deepest lake, Great Slave Lake with a maximum depth of 2,014 feet.

Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in the world?

Lake Superior which is located at the US-Canadian border is also the biggest freshwater lake globally by surface area and is the third largest by volume behind Lake Baikal in the Siberian and Lake Tanganyika in Tanzanian.

What is the population density of Nunavut?

However, Nunavut is also the least populated territory in Canada with a population of about 35,000 people spread within its expansive borders hence translating to a population density of 0.005 persons per square mile.

How much of Canada's land surface is covered in fresh water?

With over 31,700 lakes larger than 3 square kilometres, about 9% of Canada’s land surface is covered with fresh water. Now that’s a lot of H2O!

How much of Canada's water is renewable?

However, only 7% of Canada’s total reserves are deemed to be renewable. Every year, about 7% of the world’s renewable water supply is discharged by rivers in Canada at a rate of 105,000 cubic metres per second, or 105 million litres per second.

Why is it important to protect the environment in Canada?

1️⃣ Environmental protection is critical which is why the world needs more responsibly produced Canadian resources. 2️⃣ At the same time we must balance support for our local economy, families and communities and that also means #CanadianResources 3️⃣ We must always remember the law of substitution: If Canada doesn’t supply the energy and resources that global consumers require, other countries step in to fill the void — blocking #CanadianPipelines hasn’t kept a single barrel of oil in the ground, nor has it helped the environment in any way. #MoreCanada #CanadaAction #ClimateAction #CanadianEnergy #TeamCanada #FossilFuels #NaturalResources #TMX #CanadianMining #CanadianOil #CanadianFarmers #CanadianForestry

What is the most important resource in Canada?

Perhaps the most important of all of Canada’s resources (essential to life) is its fresh water. Here’s some interesting facts and a great photo relating to fresh water in Canada.

What is the water yield?

Water yield is largely from melted ice and precipitation that flows above / below ground, gradually reaching bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. In Canada, water yield peaks in the springtime as rain increases and snow and ice melt.

What are some examples of natural resources in Canada?

Minerals are another natural resource found in abundance in Canada. A few examples: Canada ranks 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the world for production of potash, uranium and platinum group metals like nickel, for example.

Where is Canada in the CCPI 2021?

The Climate Change Performance Index 2021 placed Canada at the bottom of the barrel - 58th out of 61 nations to be precise. Here's why the CCPI's 2021 ranking for Canada clearly misses the mark.

What are the main sources of water in British Columbia?

Its primary sources of water are the Athabasca River, Peace River, and the Fond du Lac River. It drains into the Arctic ocean through the Slave River and the Mackenzie River. 10. British Columbia: Williston Lake. Williston Lake is the largest lake in British Columbia.

What is the largest lake in Canada?

Lake Superior is the largest lake in Ontario. It is also the largest lake in Canada and the continent. It is the largest lake in the world by area and the third largest by volume. Canada and the US share the lake. It covers an area of 31,700 sqm, nearly the size of Austria, and has an average depth of 483 ft.

How many basins are there in the Peace River?

The three basins of the river are the Peace, Parsnip, and Finlay. Its maximum length is 156 miles. while its maximum width is 96 miles. It covers an area of 680 square miles and volume of 17.75 cubic miles of water. The Finlay, Manson, and Nation are among its sources of water, while the Peace River is its main outlet.

How deep is Lake Winnipeg?

It covers a large area of about 9,465 square miles, but it has a shallow depth of about 39 feet. The channel between the north and the south basin is the deepest part of the lake at 118 feet. It has a maximum length of 258 miles, its northern basin is 60 miles wide, while the southern basin is 40 miles wide. It holds about 68 cubic miles of water. Its sources of water are the Red, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan Rivers, while the Nelson River is its primary outflow.

What is the largest lake in New Brunswick?

Its sources of water are the Red, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan Rivers, while the Nelson River is its primary outflow. 8. New Brunswick: Grand Lake. Grand Lake is the largest lake in New Brunswick. It is 12.5 miles long and 3.1 miles wide. It is a popular tourist destination that attracts thousands of tourist each year.

How many lakes are there in Canada?

Approximately 9% of Canada is occupied by freshwater bodies, including lakes, rivers, and glaciers. It is estimated that there are about 31,752 lakes with a surface area of more than three square miles, which makes Canada one of the countries with the most lakes in the world. 561 lakes occupy an area of more than 10 square miles.

What is the largest lake in the Northwest Territories?

Northwest Territories: Great Bear Lake. The Great Bear Lake is the largest lake in the Northwest Territories. It is the third largest lake in Canada but the largest lake that lies entirely within its borders. It is also the fourth largest in the continent and the eighth largest lake in the world.

Which country consumes the most water?

Canada is second only to the United States which consumes the largest amount of water per capita. The average citizen needs 20 to 40 litres for sanitation and drinking. Many believe that fresh water will be the �liquid gold� or �the oil of the 21st century�, causing wars between nations.

What percentage of the world's fresh water is renewable?

About 20 percent of the world� fresh water is found in Canada, but less than half of it is considered renewable.

What percentage of people will be water poor by 2025?

A study by the United Nations shows than by 2025, 75 percent of people on the planet will be water-poor. Opponents argue that fresh water is not a commodity but a public trust and essential need. Water belongs to no one and everyone in Canada.

Is water a commodity?

Another issue is whether, under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs, fresh water is considered a commodity to be traded and sold or it is a vital resource.

Is Canada's water resource inexhaustible?

The total amount of fresh water is not affected by human uses, which is why it is considered an inexhaustible resource. However, water must be of certain quality and in a particular place to be useful (i.e. to be considered renewable). Canada�s freshwater resources are a generous endowment for a country of 35 million people.

Which region in Canada has the highest water withdrawals?

Water withdrawals: Nunavut is the top-ranked region in Canada on water withdrawals and earns an “A” grade. Both Yukon and the Northwest Territories earn “B” grades.

Which province has the highest B grade?

Ontario is the top-ranked province, earning a “B” grade overall and placing ahead of five peer countries. Quebec, British Columbia, and P.E.I. receive “C” grades, ranking behind Finland, but ahead of the U.S. and Australia.

What are the environmental indicators of Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia ranks 23nd overall and scores “D–” grades on wastewater treatment and on two air pollution indicators: NOx emissions and PM 10 emissions. The province also does poorly on the two other air pollution indicators, with “D” grades on SOx and VOC emissions. This results to some extent from Nova Scotia’s reliance on coal combustion to generate electricity. The province also does poorly on the climate change indicators, with “D” grades on low-emitting electricity production, energy intensity and GHG emissions. Nova Scotia does do well on two environmental indicators. The province produces little waste and consumes a relatively small amount of freshwater, and so earns “A” grades on waste generation and water withdrawals.

What is Quebec's ranking?

Quebec is the second-highest-ranked province behind Ontario and places 15th overall, earning a “C” grade. Because of its abundant hydro resources, Quebec produces 99 per cent of its electricity from low-emission sources and thus scores very highly on low-emitting electricity production. The province earns an “A+” grade on this indicator for outperforming all peer countries, ranking behind only Manitoba. Quebec also does well on two other indicators, earning “A” grades on SOx emissions and GHG emissions. Quebec gets “B” grades on NOx emissions, water withdrawals, and wastewater treatment and a “C” grade on VOC emissions. Quebec earns a “C” grade on waste generation. Quebec’s poorest performances are on PM 10 emissions and energy intensity, for which it earns “D–” grades for doing worse than the lowest-ranked peer country.

How many D grades are there in Ontario?

There is room for substantive improvement on reducing emissions given that every province except Ontario gets at least one “D” or “D–” grade from among the four air pollution indicators, and three provinces each receive three “D–” grades.

Why aren't territories included in the overall provincial and international benchmarking calculations?

The territories are not included in the overall provincial and international benchmarking calculations because data for each individual territory are not available for several of the indicators included in the overall environment report card. The Conference Board is, however, committed to including the territories in our analysis, and so we provide information on territorial performance when data are available.

What is the D rating for Canada?

Canada gets a “D” overall and ranks third-last among the peer countries .

What is the largest water filtration plant in Canada?

In 2010, Metro Vancouver opened the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant , the largest water filtration plant in Canada and the largest ultraviolet light disinfection facility in Canada. The filtration plant improves Seymour source water by removing turbidity and micro-organisms, and by reducing the amount of chlorine required to maintain water quality. Following completion of the Twin Tunnels Project in late 2013, Capilano source water will also be filtered at the same plant and distributed by regional water mains.

Where does Ottawa get its water?

Ottawa. Most of Ottawa 's drinking water is drawn from the Ottawa River and treated at the City's two water purification plants at Britannia and Lemieux Island. After treatment, Ottawa's clean water supply is then pressurized and distributed naturally using the flow of the Ottawa River.

How long is a boil water advisory?

In an average year, some 500 boil water advisories normally of 3 to 4 day duration , are issued in respect to municipal water supply services, often following severe environmental conditions affecting the quality of the water supply source.

Why is water on First Nations reserves contaminated?

Since 1977, successive federal governments failed so resolve the water and sanitation infrastructure problems on First Nations reserves in Canada, and the water on many reserves was "contaminated, hard to access, or at risk due to faulty treatment systems ", according to a June 2016 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.

What is the water system in Vancouver?

Metro Vancouver 's water system is one of the largest in North America. Almost 600 square kilometers of mountainous land is closed to public access to protect the large reservoirs which collect rain and snow melt. Three watersheds - the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam Watersheds are the water source for more than two million residents in the most populated urban region of British Columbia. Each watershed supplies about one-third of the region's tap water. The regional district's long-standing closed watershed policy is one component of a water supply system that provides multiple barriers to contamination, from source to tap.

How much of Canada's population is served by septic systems?

Access to water supply in Canada is nearly universal. Concerning sanitation, nearly 75% of Canadians are serviced by municipal sewer systems. The remaining 25 percent of the Canadian population is served by septic disposal systems.

What are the contaminants in the First Nations?

According to the Human Rights Watch, First Nations reserves in Canada were found to have water contaminations that included coliform, E. coli, Trihalomethane, and uranium, which may cause gastrointestinal diseases or increased risks for cancer.

Where is Canada's freshwater located?

Specifically, only 38 per cent of Canada’s renewable freshwater supply is located in the southern portion of the country. Nonetheless, Canadians consume only a small fraction (about one per cent) of the water supply annually available.

Which country has the most lakes?

With 563 large lakes across the country, Canada has more lakes than any other country in the world, giving us an impressive non-renewable water supply. The Great Lakes, which are shared between Canada and the United States, are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world and account for 18 per cent of the global stock of fresh surface water. ...

How does Canada monitor water?

Although Canada has vast freshwater resources and uses only a fraction of them, uneven distribution means there may be challenges in balancing supply and usage in specific regions at specific times. To identify regions with higher possibilities of water shortages, the federal Environment and Climate Change Canada monitors rivers across Canada and provides information about water flows. Water-monitoring stations categorize quantity into three groups: low, high and normal. The classification for any given station is based on a comparison of its most frequently observed flow condition in a year with its typical water flow condition between 1981 and 2010.

Is there a water shortage in Canada?

Higher-than-normal quantity was more frequently observed at stations in northwestern Ontario, northern British Columbia, Yukon, south-central Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Overall, Canada is not experiencing a water shortage, as most Canadian rivers have normal water quantity levels based on the most recent data.

Is Canada running out of water?

Some have questioned whether Canada is running out of water. According to our new study, a water shortage in Canada is unlikely given our abundant water resources and level of water consumption.

Is the water in the Canadian rivers normal?

As shown, most Canadian rivers have exhibited normal or above-normal water quantity with a slightly declining tendency for low flow levels. In 2015, most Canadian rivers (90 per cent of monitoring stations across Canada) had normal or above-normal and only 10 per cent had lower-than-normal quantity.