The regulated outflow from Rainy Lake has levelled out at a rate of 75 cubic metres per second after a brief reduction to 70 cubic metres per second last Friday was found to be too little to sustain Emo’s water supply.
“After reducing the rate to 70 cubic metres per second, the water levels were below our desired levels for Emo,” Rick Walden, engineering advisor to the Rainy Lake Board of Control, said yesterday.
“We had to increase the outflow back to 75 cubic metres per second,” he noted.
The International Joint Commission had issued a supplementary order last month to gradually reduce the outflow from Rainy Lake to 63.7 cubic metres per second because it was so far below its minimum level.
But fears of affecting Emo’s water supply have changed things.
“A constraint to maintaining the desired lake level is how the reduced outflow will affect others getting their water from Rainy River,” noted Walden. “This is a case where we had to put our plan ‘on hold’ and look out for Emo’s domestic water supply.”
Walden said what they can do from here on depends on conditions.
“Rainfall and increased tributary flow could affect what we do with the outflow but, for now, it’s a day-by-day situation,” he remarked.
Keith Paterson, operator at the Emo water treatment plant, said last week’s dip in the water level was a close call but stressed “everything’s fine now, and the supply is holding its own.”
Meanwhile, Fort Frances’ water supply does not look to be in any immediate danger of running low.
“We’re going along fine,” Superintendent of Works (Facilities) Bruce Spottiswood said yesterday.
“The demand [for water] is higher than usual for this time of the year but the town extended the odd/even day watering bylaw by 30 days [at Monday’s council meeting],” he added.
“As long as people abide by it, we should be fine.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
