Due to the persistent dry conditions in the Rainy-Namakan basin and continued decline in the level of Rainy Lake, today the Board has authorized a reduction in the outflow of Rainy Lake from the present outflow of about 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s) or 3,530 cubic feet per second (ft³/s) down to 75 m³/s (2,650 ft³/s). The reduction will occur tomorrow morning, June 19. This action was taken under the terms of the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) January 2001 Consolidated Order for regulation of the level of Rainy Lake and of other Boundary Waters in the Rainy Lake watershed.
In the past several weeks the level of Rainy Lake has fallen below its "Drought Line" (DL), as defined in the Consolidated Order. Under the terms of the Consolidated Order, Rainy Lake minimum outflow may be further reduced from 100 m³/s (3,530 ft³/s) to not less than 65 m³/s (2,300 ft³/s) at the discretion of the Board, whenever the lake level is below its DL and following consultations with resource agencies, affected municipalities and others. The board has sought and obtained the views of these interests, prior to its decision of today.
The level of Rainy Lake today is 336.62 m (1,104.40 ft.), 79 cm (31 in.) below its lower rule curve (LRC) and 8 cm (3 in.) below its DL, falling at an accelerating rate. For this time of year, the current level is the lowest since rule curves were implemented in 1949. The lowest level recorded in recent memory, although a fall event, was on October 14, 1998 at 336.48 m (1,103.93 ft.), 14 cm (5.5 in) below the current lake level.
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