Community-based nearshore wave and water level monitoring in Nunavut, Arctic Canada 2021–2023

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Authors: David Didier, Faten Zouaghi, Stéphanie Coulombe, Terry L. Noah, Erin Marie Bertrand, Jacob Stolle, Charles Jourdain-Bonneau, Jérémy Baudry, Samuel Binette, Paul Nicot, Richard Akana, Béatrice Noël
+29 more Antoine Boisson, Denys Dubuc, Bay Berry, Gabriel Ferland, Ludivine Lafosse, Olorunfemi Adeyemi Omonigbehin, Charlotte Stancu, Carole-Anne Guay, Hatim Ben Said, Patrick T. White, Ana Heras Duran, Laisa Audlaluk Watsko, Jimmy Qaapik, Daniela Marianne Regina Walch, Danielle A.M. Hallé, Claire Parrott, Jenifer Spence, Andrew K. Hamilton, Yohan Quenet, Samuel Gagnon, Simon Bélanger, Frédéric Bouchard, Barret Kurylyk, Gwénaëlle Chaillou, Dany Dumont, Paul G. Myers, Jordan Eamer, Alexandre Normandeau, Maya P. Bhatia
Cited by: 1
References: 40

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.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics Climate change and permafrost Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes

Publication details

Journal / source
Scientific Data
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
239–239
Publication date
12 January 2026
Language
EN