Rainy Lake is still inching closer to “emergency” levels as defined by the International Joint Commission but there is little reason at this point for anyone to be concerned about flooding or damage.
The lake level Wednesday morning was measured at 337.7 m (1,107.94 ft.)–a mere five cm (two inches) below the IJC’s emergency level of 337.75 m (1,108.10 ft.)
“The term is perhaps a little more dramatic than it needs be,” noted Rick Walden, an engineering advisor to the International Board of Control.
“Whenever you reach that level, then essentially all action possible is taken until you get it back on the other side [of the rule curve],” he said Wednesday.
The water level currently is about 18.4 cm (7.2 inches) above the upper IJC rule curve.
A joint release issued by Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and the Boise Cascade Corp. on Monday had warned that we could encounter emergency levels if relief from the strong inflow into Rainy Lake does not occur.
“In that sense, it’s perhaps a misnomer. It’s not indicating damage starts at that level,” explained Walden. “The emergency level is the same level as the rule curve is in July or August.
“In terms of damage, it’s generally another six or eight inches on the lake.”
Namakan Lake also is approaching the emergency level of 340.95 m (1118.60 ft.) with levels measured at 340.91 m (1118.47 ft.) this morning.
All gates at the Kettle Falls dam are open, and all gates at the dam here likely are to be opened to help maintain or lower lake water levels.
“We have 14 open at the moment and are likely opening the last one today,” said Raimo Tyrvainen, Abitibi-Consolidated’s energy and utilities co-ordinator. “We’re full open at Namakan and have been since April.”
But even with all gates open at both dams, inflows into the lake are faster than the outflow.
The average, five-day inflow for Rainy Lake is at 1,000 cubic metres per second while the outflow through the dam here, with all gates open, is expected to be roughly 930-940 cu. m/s.
For Namakan, the average five-day inflow is 642 cu. m/s compared to an outflow of 547.
“So the water will continue to rise,” noted Tyrvainen.
A limited volume of water reaches the dam here through the constricted rapids at Ranier but outflow will increase as levels increase and more water can pass over the rapids to reach the gates.
Downstream, Rainy River continues to flow full, and Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River also are experiencing high water for this time of year, both mill companies indicated Monday.
Rain is in the forecast over the next few days.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
