Great Lakes, St Lawrence Water Levels

[canuckjack]

I know water levels have been a bit of a hot topic this year across the province, thought this media release from the Great Lakes - St Lawrence Regulation Office might be of interest.

 

Apologies if this was well known

 

November 3, 2010

 

Control Board continues following regulation plan

 

The International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (Board) recently reviewed conditions in the Lake

Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. The Board has decided to continue to release outflows in accordance

with the regulation plan as much as possible. Outflows may be adjusted to avoid extreme water level

conditions downstream, or to meet critical hydropower and navigation needs.

 

The supply of water received by Lake Ontario was below average during September. Lower than average

Lake Erie outflows were somewhat offset by above-average precipitation on the Lake Ontario basin.

Lake Ontario’s water level remains at average for this time of year, and has followed its seasonal average

since mid July. Since August 14, outflows have been as specified by Plan 1958-D, and the lake level

remains the same as that computed by the Plan.

 

Lake Ontario is presently at 74.59 m (244.72 ft), which is average for this time of year. There is almost

no risk of Lake Ontario reaching its upper level limit in 2010; there is a small risk of low Lake Ontario

levels later this fall. The Board urges everyone to be prepared to live within the range of levels specified

in the Orders of Approval. Water levels on Lake St. Lawrence have generally been at or above average

since late May, and are currently 11 cm (4 in.) above average for this time of year.

 

Levels of the St. Lawrence River near Montreal rose sharply at the end of September following heavy

rainfalls, and reached near-record high values before recently falling back below average. The level at the

Port of Montreal is presently about 50 cm (20 in.) above chart datum, but 32 cm (12.6 in) below average.

With average weather conditions, the level in the Harbour would remain below average, but above chart

datum for the next six months.

 

The Board, in conjunction with its staff, is monitoring the situation carefully and is prepared to take

action if required. The Board will assess the situation again in about 4 weeks, or earlier if there is a

significant change in conditions.

 

Contacts:

 

Gail R. Faveri: (905) 336-6007; [email protected]

 

John Kangas: (312) 353-4333; [email protected]

 

The International St. Lawrence River Board of Control was established by the International Joint

Commission in its 1952 order of approval. The Board’s main duty is to ensure that outflows from Lake

Ontario meet the requirements of the IJC order; it also develops regulation plans and conducts special

studies requested by the IJC. For more information, visit www.ijc.org (> Boards > International St.

Lawrence River Board of Control). To receive a weekly e-mail about water levels and flows in the Lake

Ontario–St. Lawrence River system, please send a blank e-mail message to stlaw-L-

[email protected], with the word ’subscribe’ in the title and body of your message.