Due to extreme rainfall over the Rainy Lake and Rainy River drainage basins on June 8-10, water levels on the lake and river have risen sharply over the past several days. Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. (ACI) took immediate steps to start opening the Rainy Lake dam to control levels on the lake in compliance with operating rules put in place by the International Joint Commission (IJC) and monitored by its Board, the International Rainy Lake Board of Control. However, prior to the dam being fully opened, the Board asked ACI to curtail these operations due to the threat of imminent flooding of downstream communities on the river, especially the Town of Rainy River. This action was discussed with, and supported by, the IJC.
Rainy Lake is now above the level at which IJC rules of operation for the lake require all gates in the Rainy Lake dam to be fully open. However, high levels persist on the river and are still rising due to runoff from local tributaries and, in spite of sandbagging operations, the threat of serious flooding at the Town of Rainy River remains. Following further discussions with its Board and input from federal, provincial and state agencies and municipalities, the IJC has today issued a Supplementary Order for the operation of Rainy Lake. The IJC’s news release regarding this Order is attached.
With this Supplementary Order, the IJC has authorized its Board to temporarily specify the outflows from Rainy Lake, considering conditions on both Rainy Lake and on Rainy River, with the objective of, as best as possible, limiting further rise in lake level while at the same time not worsening existing flood conditions on the river. Given this authority, and after thoroughly assessing conditions and trends on the lake and river, the Board has directed ACI to open two of the eight gates which currently remain closed on the Rainy Lake dam on Thursday morning, June 13. The Board will continue to monitor conditions and impacts and consult with other parties and, based on these, will determine when further gate openings are appropriate.
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