Freshwater in Canada: A look at Canada's freshwater resources from 1971 to 2013

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Release date: May 3, 2018
Infographic: Freshwater in Canada: A look at Canada's freshwater resources from 1971 to 2013
Description: Freshwater in Canada: A look at Canada's freshwater resources from 1971 to 2013

It displays a 3D map with the height of each drainage region indicating depth of renewable freshwater production. A legend indicates that the darker the blue, the more renewable freshwater was produced. Short statements are provided for drainage regions of note, indicated with leader lines. The infographic also includes a bar chart with on surface water withdrawals, several pictographs and facts about renewable freshwater and water use.

Text on the infographic and bar chart data are as follows:

The following map shows the depth of renewable freshwater resources (mm) for each of Canada's 25 drainage regions.

The Pacific Coastal region produced on average 1500 mm of freshwater.

Renewable freshwater production was lowest in the Prairies—50 mm on average for the Missouri, Assiniboine–Red, North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan regions.

The Maritime Coastal and Newfoundland–Labrador regions produced 850 mm of freshwater, the second highest in Canada.

Did you know?

Canada produced 3,478 km3 of renewable freshwater per year. That's more than twice the volume of Lake Ontario!

This volume represents on average 104,000 m3 for every single Canadian.

Water use quick facts

Canadians used 37.9 km3 of water for economic and household activities in 2013.

These drainage had the highest surface water withdrawals in Canada: Canada (33.5 km3), Great Lakes (23.5 km3), St. Lawrence (2.0 km3), South Saskatchewan (1.9 km3).

Each Canadian used on average 250 litres of water per day in 2013. Total household water use was 3.2 km3. That's over 1.2 million Olympic swimming pools.

Source: Human Activity and the Environment 2016: Freshwater in Canada.

Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: