Water levels in Rainy Lake and the Kabetogama-Namakan reservoirs continue to rise and are now approaching emergency levels, Abitibi-Consolidated and Boise Cascade warned Monday morning in a joint news release.
“We continue to see rising water levels so we’re issuing kind of a warning to lake areas that we may be approaching emergency levels,” Boise Cascade spokesman Bob Anderson said.
Anderson said entire watershed has experienced higher than normal levels of precipitation of late, causing all inflows to be above average.
The lake levels are now above average and if inflows continue at the same rate, the companies are warning the area could be under emergency conditions before the end of May.
Monday’s level read 337.67 m (1,107.83 ft.) on Rainy Lake. Emergency conditions are reached when it reaches 337.75 m (1108.1 ft.)
The companies have had the spillway gates on the dam here and at Kettle Falls open since mid-April.
“It’s the constriction at Ranier that stops us from getting more water through,” noted Anderson.
If the area encounters emergency conditions, cottage owners and lake property owners are advised to take steps to secure docks and prepare for the possibility of erosion.
Boaters also are advised to watch carefully for floating debris that could come from fallen trees and brush along the shoreline.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
