After the area received almost 2.5 cm (one inch) of rain over the weekend and another 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) yesterday, Abitibi-Consolidated and Boise Cascade issued a press release noting Namakan and Kabetogama are expected to reach flood stages tomorrow.
“Weekend precipitation in the watershed has pushed the probability that Namakan and Kabetogama lakes will reach flood stage by Wednesday,” said Boise Cascade spokesman Bob Anderson.
Water levels also are continuing to rise on Rainy Lake, hitting 337.83 m (1108.37 ft.) this morning–above the year-round normal high of 337.75 m (1108.1 ft.) and just below the “outgates open requirement level” of 337.9 m (1108.60 ft.) set by the International Joint Commission.
“The in-flows right now, with the heavy rain, are exceeding the out-flows,” noted Raimo Tyrvainen, Abitibi-Consolidated’s energy and utilities co-ordinator.
“If it keeps on raining and in-flows keep on elevating, the water levels will continue to go up,” he warned.
The lake currently is rising at a rate of 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) per day.
“We are also facing a forecast of cool weather, which says we will not have any evaporation for the next few days,” said Anderson.
“We would again advise property owners to take necessary precautions to protect docks and soil from erosion, and for boaters to be alert to floating debris on area lakes.”
All gates at the Kettle Falls dam have been open since April and all 15 gates at the dam here were open for most of last week.
The high water levels are beginning to have an affect. Downstream in Rainy River, the deputy mayor and clerk were meeting this morning to discuss what to do as the water is creeping up the shoreline there and already has carried away two municipal docks.
Public work’ crews there have been up since 6 a.m. trying to control the effects of the high water.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
