Record of Meeting for the

International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control

Annual Public Meeting

Old Depot

Oroville, Washington

September 26, 2000, 7:00 PM

Attendance

United States

Canada

Chairmen:

Cynthia Barton

absent (Kirk Johnstone)

 

 

 

Members

Col. Ralph Graves

Kris Kauffman

Robin McNeil

James Mattison

Larry Adamache

 

 

 

Secretaries

Robert Kimbrough (recording)

Brian Symonds

 

 

 

Observers:

Larry Merkle

Wayne Wagner

Ray Smith

Ray Newkirk

 

  1. Welcome and Introductions

    Cynthia Barton introduced members of the Board. There were 6 members of the public present at the meeting.

  2. Function of the Board

    Larry Merkle gave a presentation on the International Joint Commission, the Osoyoos Lake Board of Control, and an overview and history of Osoyoos Lake and Zosel Dam. There was one comment from the public regarding the correct pro2000 Hydrologic Conditions

    Brian Symonds gave a presentation on the Hydrologic Conditions in the Okanagan River Basin and Osoyoos Lake for September 1999 – August 2000. Mr. Symonds indicated that precipitation and streamflow had generally been average during the 12 months. Drought criteria were not met so the level of Osoyoos Lake did not exceed 911.5 feet at any time during the 12 month period.

    A member of the public asked about the forecast for the upcoming winter.  Mr. Symonds did not offer a forecast for the upcoming winter but stated current streamflow was slightly above normal.

    A copy of Mr. Symonds presentation will be attached to the final minutes.2000 Hydrologic Conditions

    Brian Symonds gave a presentation on the Hydrologic Conditions in the Okanagan River Basin and Osoyoos Lake for September 1999 – August 2000. Mr. Symonds indicated that precipitation and streamflow had generally been average during the 12 months. Drought criteria were not met so the level of Osoyoos Lake did not exceed 911.5 feet at any time during the 12 month period.

    A member of the public asked about the forecast for the upcoming winter.  Mr. Symonds did not offer a forecast for the upcoming winter but stated current streamflow was slightly above normal.

    A copy of Mr. Symonds presentation will be attached to the final minutes.nunciation of “Zosel”. A copy of Mr. Merkle’s presentation will be attached to the final minutes.
  3. 2000 Hydrologic Conditions

    Brian Symonds gave a presentation on the Hydrologic Conditions in the Okanagan River Basin and Osoyoos Lake for September 1999 – August 2000. Mr. Symonds indicated that precipitation and streamflow had generally been average during the 12 months. Drought criteria were not met so the level of Osoyoos Lake did not exceed 911.5 feet at any time during the 12 month period.

    A member of the public asked about the forecast for the upcoming winter.  Mr. Symonds did not offer a forecast for the upcoming winter but stated current streamflow was slightly above normal.

    A copy of Mr. Symonds presentation will be attached to the final minutes.
  4. 2000 Zosel Dam Operations

    Ray Newkirk gave a presentation on the operation of Osoyoos Lake and Zosel Dam during 2000 to date. The level of Osoyoos Lake during the winter (about 909.5 feet)  was  lower than recent winter levels to combat the growth of milfoil around the edge of the lake. The Orders call for a minimum lake level of 911.0 feet by April 1, however, due to less than anticipated inflow in the Okanagan River, this minimum level was not reached until April 8.  The difficulty in increasing lake levels to 911.0 feet by April 1 was compounded by Washington Department of Ecology’s requirement  to maintain at least 100 cubic feet per second outflow through Zosel Dam for fish.
  5. Public Discussion

    A member of the public asked about some new pumps on the east side of the lake in Canada. A member of the Board responded that the pumps were installed for irrigation of land on the Osoyoos Band Reserve.

    A member of the public said they appreciate the notices in the newspaper announcing planned fluctuations in lake levels.

    A member of the public asked about a plan to bore a tunnel to divert water from the Similkameen River to the Okanagan River upstream from Osoyoos Lake. Some Board members were aware of this particular proposal that was being endorsed by a private citizen, however, the Board commented that they were not aware of the projects status. A member of the public commented that they did not think the project was approved and that it could only be considered after water became a limiting factor for growth.
  6. Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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