This data represents the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) administrative boundaries from 1997-2022. Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) administrative areas divide Ontario into smaller organizational units. These units were used to manage ministry programs and resources at a district and regional level. Regional and district boundaries were originally created based on: * metes and bounds * topographic features * geographic townships boundaries * territorial district boundaries We made changes to district boundaries over time. We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis. __MNR regions__ MNR regions were created to help manage ministry programs and resources at a regional level. Regions consist of several districts. __MNR districts__ MNR regions were divided into smaller organizational units called districts. __MNR areas__ MNR districts were further divided into areas.

This data contains information on active precipitation gauges in Ontario. These precipitation gauges: * measure how much rainfall/precipitation falls on the ground (mm) * are peripherals to hydrometric monitoring stations within the Ontario Hydrometric Network Rainfall and snowmelt are primary causes of flooding in Ontario. The lack of precipitation often causes low water and drought conditions. Data from the gauges is collected and maintained by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC). The data supports SWMC and partner organization such as conservation authorities, on the local and provincial scale, with: * flood forecasting and warning * drought monitoring The SWMC transfers precipitation data to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). This happens through an automated process integrated into the SWMC corporate water and climate database. ECCC publishes and maintains a variety of datasets on their Meteorological Services of Canada Datamart, a publicly accessible source for meteorological and hydrological data. This data source has 24/7 operational service and provides support on a best effort basis during normal business hours.

This dataset contains location information for 2 of Ontario’s snow monitoring networks: * Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) * Snow Network for Ontario Wildlife (SNOW), administered by the Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Snow course data is collected by: * conservation authorities * Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) districts * Ontario Power Generation SWMC network data is collected twice a month from November 15 until May 15. SNOW network data is collected once a week from the first snowfall until snowmelt. The Surface Water Monitoring Centre uses the data to assess: * current snow cover * frozen ground conditions * snowpack * potential snowmelt * contributions to streamflow MNR’s Science and Research Branch use the data to: * help manage wildlife species including deer, moose, wild turkey, elk, wolves and coyotes * help ministry resource managers and scientists administer programs and conduct research * inform game management decisions such as white-tailed deer harvest quotas * support flight planning for the Moose Aerial Inventory program