Why the NHN
Water is a priceless resource. It is essential to life and shapes the Earth as we know it. In addition to being essential to our fundamental needs, water creates electricity, enables water-transport, fire operations, agriculture, industry, tourism and recreational activities. It ensures biodiversity of plants and animal species. Canada's water supplies are abundant but not unlimited. Nothing can replace water.
Because water is available in limited quantities and used widely, one may question its consumption and the criteria and priorities for its sustainable use.
The National Hydro Network (NHN) is a water management tool that offers decision makers exact, reliable and current information related to Canada's surface water supplies. It allows managers to make knowledgeable decisions in regards to the use of this invaluable resource. The NHN contributes to Canada's commitment towards sustainable development.
Resource managers and industry leaders, including federal, provincial, territorial and regional government decision makers, as well as the private sector, use the NHN for water management. The NHN is also available to non-government agencies, environmental associations and the public for surveillance and information needs, as well as for individual decision making.
NHN data is used in water flow analysis, monitoring and watershed management. It is also useful for research needs and data manipulations. For example, in the event of a toxic spill, NHN data may be used within a geographic information system (GIS) in order to monitor the flow and extent of the contaminant discharge in surface waters, to determine how far it will carry and the affected areas and people. The NHN can also be used to help decision-makers in their evaluation of the required aid measures needed for agriculture or evacuation in case of drought or flooding.
Adapted for GIS, the NHN may be imported in more elaborate information systems to help represent relations between surface waters and other geographic features while preserving NHN data integrity. The NHN also facilitates water data sharing, making it a useful tool for a number of water management applications.