Community-based nearshore wave and water level monitoring in Nunavut, Arctic Canada 2021–2023
Year: 2026
Type: data-paper
Abstract: The Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) lies within Inuit Nunangat, the homeland of the Inuit, and encompasses extensive coasts of Nunavut. These shorelines are continuously changing, shaped by sea ice, glaciers, icebergs, permafrost, and oceanographic dynamics during the open-water season. Inuit knowledge offers profound insights into coastal change; however, systematic measurements of ocean waves and water levels remain scarce, which limits our ability to model nearshore processes and anticipate shoreline responses, both critical for adaptation. We present a dataset of water levels and wave statistics collected between 2021 and 2023 in partnership with three communities: Ausuittuq (Jones Sound), Canada's northernmost community; Ikaluktutiak and Kugluktuk (both in Coronation Gulf). The dataset includes 19 calibrated pressure sensors in the nearshore zone and 6 offshore wave buoys deployed with Inuit boat operators, capturing more than 427 days of hourly observations. Observed conditions include significant wave heights up to 1.7 m and peak wave periods up to 6.0 s. All files are published in open formats with structured documentation to ensure transparency, accessibility, and reuse.
Source: Scientific Data
Authors: David Didier, Faten Zouaghi, Stéphanie Coulombe, Terry Noah, Erin Marie Bertrand, Jacob Stolle, Charles Jourdain-Bonneau, Jeremy Baudry, Samuel Binette, Paul Nicot, Richard Akana, Béatrice Noël, Antoine Boisson, Denys Dubuc, Bay Berry, Gabriel Ferland, Ludivine Lafosse, Olorunfemi Omonigbehin, Charlotte Stancu, Carole-Anne Guay, Hatim Ben Said, Patrick White, Ana Heras Duran, Laisa Audlaluk Watsko, Jimmy Qaapik, Daniela Marianne Regina Walch, Danielle Hallé, Claire Parrott, Jenifer Spence, Andrew Kent Hamilton, Yohan Quénet, Samuel Gagnon, Simon Bélanger, Frédéric Bouchard, Barret Kurylyk, Gwénaëlle Chaillou, Dany Dumont, Paul Myers, Jordan Eamer, Alexandre Normandeau, Maya Bhatia
Institutions: Université du Québec à Rimouski, Center for Northern Studies, Québec-Océan, Polar Knowledge Canada, Dalhousie University, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des sciences de la mer, Centre for Water Resources Studies, Nunavut Arctic College, University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, Université de Sherbrooke, Natural Resources Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Language: English
Topic: Coastal and Marine Dynamics
Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Awards: G636377407, G6956711515
OpenAlex ID: W7122681555