The International Rainy Lake Board of Control yesterday authorized the targeting of Namakan Lake levels in the range of 80-90 percent of its rule curve band.
This action was taken under the terms of a supplementary order issued by the International Joint Commission (IJC) on June 28.
This action will allow for a gradual decline in the level of Namakan Lake within its rule curve band without unnecessarily discharging added water into already high Rainy Lake.
The level of Namakan Lake yesterday morning was 340.77 m (1,118.0 ft.), down 42 cm (16.5 inches) from its peak of 341.19 m (1,119.4 ft.) on July 6.
It also was down one cm (0.4 inches) from Sunday morning’s reading and continuing a downward trend.
Meanwhile, the level of Rainy Lake yesterday morning was 338.03 m (1,109.02 ft.), down 53 cm (20.9 inches) from its peak of 338.56 m (1,110.77 ft.) on June 27.
It also was down three cm (1.2 inches) from Sunday morning’s reading and continuing a downward trend.
Namakan Lake is two cm (0.8 inches) below its upper rule curve. Rainy Lake is still 13 cm (5.1 inches) above its “all gates open” level and 28 cm (11.0 inches) above its upper rule curve.
The IRLBC is still recommending that property owners and users of the system continue to keep themselves updated on basin conditions for at least the next few weeks.
Up-to-date information can be found on Boise’s Web site (lakes.bc.com) and the Lake of the Woods Control Board site (www.lwcb.ca).
People also can call the IRLBC’s engineering advisors, Rick Walden (1-819-997-2529) or Ed Eaton (1-651-290-5617).
