INTERNATIONAL RAINY LAKE BOARD OF CONTROL            
IRLBC

News Release

July 10, 2003

BOARD ISSUES GUIDANCE ON INCREASING NAMAKAN LAKE OUTFLOW
RAINY LAKE OUTFLOW TO REMAIN UNCHANGED

Today the Board has directed that Namakan Lake levels be maintained within the lower 10 percent of the IJC operating band, once the lake level rises above its lower IJC rule curve as expected in the next several days. This will allow more water to be passed downstream to help improve the low water situation on Rainy Lake. This action is due to the continued rise in Namakan Lake, which will soon be above its lower IJC rule curve, and the continued low level of Rainy Lake. This action was taken under the terms of the International Joint Commission’s January 2001 Consolidated Order for regulation of the level of Rainy Lake and of other Boundary Waters in the Rainy Lake watershed. An earlier action taken last month by the Board, under the terms of the Consolidated Order, reduced Rainy Lake outflow down to 75 m³/s (2,650 ft³/s) on June 18th in response to the low water levels on the lake. That action remains in effect.

The level of Rainy Lake today is 336.63 m (1,104.4 ft.), 87 cm (34 in.) below its lower IJC rule curve and 57 cm (22 in.) below its IJC drought line, and holding steady, after stabilizing over the past two weeks from recent rainfall. The level of Namakan Lake today is 340.56 m (1,117.3 ft.), 5 cm (2 in.) below its lower IJC rule curve and 41 cm (16 in.) above its IJC drought line, and rising steadily.

The Board recommends that property owners and users of the system continue to keep themselves updated on basin conditions. Up-to-date information can be found on Boise’s web site (lakes.bc.com), on the Lake of the Woods Control Board site (www.lwcb.ca) and on the St. Paul District Corps of Engineers web site (www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil). Persons can also call the Board’s engineering advisors, Rick Walden (819-997-2529) or Ed Eaton (651-290-5617).

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Rick Walden 819-997-2529
Ed Eaton 651-290-5617