Press Release
The International-Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board has announced its new Water Levels Committee.
The committee consists of co-chairs Col. Samuel L. Calkins and Gail Faveri, Kiley Shebagegit of Emo, Nolan Baratono of International Falls, U.S. Engineering Advisor Scott Jutila, and Canadian engineering advisor Matthew DeWolfe.
The board has three committees, including the water levels one, whose duty it is to ensure compliance with the orders of the International Joint Commission (IJC) for the operation of the dams on the Rainy River and outlets of Namakan Lake.
The orders consist of a rule curve band for Rainy Lake and one for the Namakan chain of lakes, with minimum releases in times of low inflows and all gates open levels in times of high inflows.
The rule curves provide an upper and lower limit for the water elevation on these lakes on any day of the year; lower in the winter and higher in the summer.
The companies that operate the dams target the middle portion of the rule curves, except when directed otherwise by the Water Levels Committee.
The orders implemented in 2000 may be found at http://ijc.org/rel/boards/rainylake/Order_e.pdf
The Water Levels Committee will hold public meetings and also notify the media when major flow events are occurring.
During the spring, when water levels are rising from snow melt and rains, the committee provides the info for weekly radio announcements sponsored by Packaging Corporation of America, one of the dam operators.
The committee also maintains a list of people whom it notifies in cases of drastic outflow changes, and has a fish spawning protocol to prevent the desiccation of eggs from lowering outflows.
The water levels on Lake of the Woods are regulated by the Lake of the Woods Control Board, which may be reached by calling 1-800-661-5922 or e-mailing to secretariat@lwcb.ca
Its website is located at www.lwcb.ca
In addition, a provision of the 2000 Consolidated Orders calls for an evaluation of the rule curves for Rainy Lake and the Namakan chain of lakes after 15 years.
The IJC established the International Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curve Review Study Board to undertake this evaluation.
The study board’s draft report, including its draft recommendations for altering the existing rule curve, is available for public comment until June 1.
