Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Canadian hydrometric data, understanding m³/s, telemetry updates, and paddle safety.
How often is Canadian river flow data updated?
Streamflow discharge (m³/s) and water levels (metres) are updated every 5–15 minutes directly from active Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) / Water Survey of Canada (WSC) hydrometric stations via the MSC GeoMet API.
What is m³/s and how do I interpret it?
m³/s stands for Cubic Metres per Second (also called cms). 1 m³/s is equal to 1,000 litres of water passing a cross-section every second (approximately 35.31 cubic feet per second / CFS). On Canadian rivers, 4.5–18 m³/s is typical for gentle summer tubing and small craft, 7–45 m³/s provides steady touring current for canoes and recreational kayaks, and 25+ m³/s enters technical whitewater.
How does the Floatability Score work for Canadian waters?
Our Floatability Engine (1–10) compares instantaneous discharge against craft-specific sweet-spot flow thresholds. It also applies safety deductions for cold glacial or spring meltwater, air chill, high winds (>25 km/h), and active precipitation risks.
Which provinces and territories are covered?
Riverable Canada monitors real-time telemetry across all 10 provinces and 3 territories—including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
What lifejacket or safety equipment is required on Canadian rivers?
Under Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations (Canada Shipping Act, 2001), every paddler and boater must carry an appropriately sized Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket (approved by Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, or Fisheries and Oceans Canada). Additional mandatory safety equipment includes a sound signaling device (whistle), a buoyant heaving line (15 m), and a bailing device.
Can I embed Riverable on my Canadian kayak shop or outfitter website?
Yes! We offer 100% free embeddable river flow badges. Visit our Widgets page to generate iframe snippets for any gauged river in Canada.