MEDIA RELEASE
For Release June 19, 2002
IJC Monitors Rainy Lake Flooding
On June 12, 2002, the International Joint Commission (IJC) issued a
Supplementary Order authorizing its International Rainy Lake Board of
Control to temporarily specify the outflows from Rainy lake, considering
conditions on both Rainy Lake and on Rainy River. The objective was, as best as possible, to limit the
further rise in level of Rainy Lake while, at the same time, not worsening existing flood conditions
on Rainy River. As water
levels in the Rainy River receded, further gates were opened at the dam at Fort
Frances-International Falls. As of Friday morning, June 14, all gates were
open at the dam at Fort Frances-International Falls, bringing those
operations back into compliance with the standing IJC January 2001
Consolidated Order. The additional authority granted by the Commission's Supplementary
Order has now ended and all gates currently remain open. The International
Rainy Lake Board of Control continues to monitor closely the situation on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River.
The International Joint Commission regulates the levels
of Rainy and Namakan Lakes under the 1938 Convention for Emergency Regulation of
Rainy Lake and Boundary Waters in the Rainy Lake Watershed. For more
information, visit our website at www.ijc.org
Contact:
Frank Bevacqua IJC Washington
(202)
736-9024
Fabien Lengellé IJC Ottawa
(613)
995-0088
Ed
Eaton
International Rainy Lake Board of Control (651)
290-5617
Rick Walden International Rainy Lake Board of Control (819)
997-2529