NEWS RELEASE
September 15, 2011
Control Board returns to following Plan flows
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 as specified by the regulation plan. The Board may vary outflows to meet critical hydropower, navigational or other needs. As the levels on Lake Ontario are currently following their seasonal decline, the Board intends to retain the 2.7 cm (1 in) of water currently stored on the lake and release this water in the winter for a gradual transition to lower outflows during the formation of ice, if necessary.
The level on Lake Ontario as of September 13, 2011 was 74.79 m (245.37 ft), 5 cm (2 in) above the long-term average for that time of year. Water levels on Lake St. Lawrence generally remained below average during August, but are currently near average for this time of year. Levels of the St. Lawrence River near Montreal have fallen since June to close to seasonal long-term average levels. The level at the Port of Montreal on September 13, 2011 was 6.06 m (19.88 ft), 16 cm (6 in) below average.
The Board, in conjunction with its staff, continues to monitor the situation carefully and is prepared to take further action as required.
Water levels on both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River can vary considerably from year to year. The Board urges everyone to be prepared to live within the range of levels specified in the Orders of Approval. For Lake Ontario, the upper limit for monthly mean levels is 75.37 m (247.3 ft) and the lower limit (from April to December) is 74.15 m (243.3 ft), a range of 1.22 m (4 ft). Levels on the river tend to vary more widely.
Contacts:
Gail R. Faveri: (905) 336-6007; gail.faveri@ec.gc.ca
John Kangas: (312) 353-4333; John.W.Kangas@usace.army.mil
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 http://ijc.org/conseil_board/islrbc/en/main_accueil.htm. 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-subscribe@cciw.ca, with the word ’subscribe’ in the title and body of your message.