News Releases

Lake Ontario outflows will be increased by 200 m3/s (7,100 cfs) above the amount set by Plan 2014, beginning October 16. This will continue for approximately eight weeks to return water levels in Lake Ontario to the level it would be had outflow deviations not been required earlier this year.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting public comment on recommendations made by its International Souris River Study Board in a report, “Managing Water Supply and Flood Control in the Souris River Basin,” which recommends potential reservoir operation options to improve flood control...

The water level on Lake St. Lawrence at Long Sault Dam on Wednesday morning, October 6th was approximately 72.86 meters (239.04 ft.). The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board will temporarily reduce outflows from Lake Ontario from noon on Friday, October 8th through noon on Monday...

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron have both continued their seasonal declines in September. As a result of the drier than average conditions, water levels on Lake Superior have gone below the seasonal long-term average for the first time since April 2014.

Anglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids are advised that the gate setting of the Compensating Works structure at the head of the Rapids will be adjusted on September 27, 2021. The four middle gates (Gates #7 through #10) will be closed and four gates on the US side of the structure (Gates...

The International Joint Commission, through the Water Levels Committee (WLC) associated with the International Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed board, works to secure to the people of Canada and the United States the most advantageous use of the waters of Rainy Lake and the Namakan Chain of Lakes...

The current water level on Lake St. Lawrence at Long Sault Dam is approximately 73 meters (239.50 ft.). The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board will temporarily reduce outflows from Lake Ontario to increase water levels on Lake St. Lawrence the second weekend of October.

As a result of the drier than average weather and water supply conditions, Lake Superior water levels have declined and have reached the seasonal long-term average for the first time since April 2014. Conditions have been wetter in the Lake Michigan-Huron basin and water levels are midway between...

There are approximately 700 marina and boat club slips, and hundreds of private docks located along the shores of Lake St. Lawrence. Recreational boaters who navigate the St. Lawrence River, Lake St. Lawrence, and adjacent rivers and lakes have experienced high and low water level conditions that...

(In French only) - Les conseils de régularisation des eaux des Grands Lacs de la Commission mixte internationale (CMI) vous invitent à assister à un webinaire prévu le mercredi 8 septembre de 12 h à 13 h (HAE). La séance se déroulera en français. Le Conseil international de contrôle du lac Supérieur...

(In French only) - Les conseils de régularisation des eaux des Grands Lacs de la Commission mixte internationale (CMI) vous invitent à assister à un webinaire prévu le mercredi 8 septembre de 12 h à 13 h (HAE). La séance se déroulera en français. Le Conseil international de contrôle du lac Supérieur...

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control is holding its annual public meeting regarding the regulation of Osoyoos Lake water levels and the related operations of Zosel Dam by the State of Washington under the International Joint Commission’s Orders of Approval.

The International Kootenay Lake Board of Control annual public meeting regarding the regulation of Kootenay Lake and the operation of Corra Linn Dam under the International Joint Commission’s Orders of Approval is scheduled for Wednesday September 22nd.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend a virtual public meeting with the Board on September 14th, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Central Time). Register in advance to participate in this Zoom meeting.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes water levels boards invite you to attend a webinar scheduled for Friday, August 27 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EDT).

The International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes water levels boards invite you to attend a webinar scheduled for Friday, August 27 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EDT).

The International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes water levels boards invite you to attend a webinar scheduled for Friday, August 27 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EDT).

​​​​​​​The current level of Kootenay Lake is at its lowest level for mid-August since Water Survey of Canada (WSC) records began in 1928.

The International Souris River Study Board has released its draft report and recommendations for public comment. The report, “Managing Water Supply and Flood Control in the Souris River Basin,” recommends potential reservoir operation options to improve flood control and water supply. The public...

The gate setting at the Compensating Works will be maintained at the setting equivalent to one-half gate open (Gates #7 through #10 partially open 20 cm). Gate #16 will be closed on Friday, August 6 now that the sea lamprey trapping has been completed for the season. There will be no change to the...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is pleased to announce that the International Red River Board has been officially designated as an international watershed board. The Board is now recognized as the International Red River Watershed Board (IRRWB). The IJC’s international watershed boards are...

Precipitation in the recent two weeks has had a positive impact and the wetter conditions have increased Lake Ontario water levels by approximately 7 cm (2.8 in). Normally, Lake Ontario water levels typically have begun the seasonal decline by this time of year.

Osoyoos Lake level reached the summer target elevation of 911.70 feet in late May, then crested to 911.82 feet (277.923 m) on June 15, below the maximum allowable International Joint Commission (IJC) Order of Approval rule curve of 912.0 feet.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels are above their respective long-term averages. Therefore, there is a risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding, and coastal damages.

The drought conditions that have impacted the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River watershed this spring have continued to persist into the summer.

Anglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids are advised that Gate #16, which is the southernmost gate of the Compensating Works structure, located closest to the U.S. shoreline at the head of the rapids, will be temporarily opened beginning on Thursday, June 17th to a setting of 5 cm (2 in).

In keeping with its role to monitor the health of the St. Croix river aquatic ecosystem, the International St. Croix River Watershed Board has released a study exploring opportunities and constraints for improved fish passage for the lower stretches of the St. Croix River. A number of important fish...

The month of May has been drier than average in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River watershed. Based on data from the GLERL Hydromet database and US Army Corps of Engineers data, the most recent 12 months over Lake Ontario have been the driest since 1966. The Canadian and United States drought...

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board will host several binational virtual public meetings to discuss the current conditions on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. We have been hearing from concerned property owners, business owners, and recreational users regarding the...

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,280 m3/s (80.5 tcfs) in June, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. Lake Superior outflows are set in consideration of the above-average levels upstream and downstream.

May 17, 2021 For Immediate Release The International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Flood Study Board released a new report: “Potential Structural Solutions to Mitigate Flooding in the Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Basin.” The report is one of several the Study Board will be releasing in 2021...

While Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above their respective long-term averages, the risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding, and coastal damages remains.

The spring freshet in the Okanagan/Okanogan and Similkameen basins has begun as temperatures increase. The snow pillow gauges at Blackwall Peak in the Similkameen Basin (elevation 1,940 m) and Mission Creek in the Okanagan Basin (elevation 1,780 m) are near their annual peak and are both currently...

The International Kootenay Lake Board of Control, after consultation with FortisBC (re. Corra Linn Dam operations), has determined "the commencement of the spring rise" for purposes defined in Paragraph 2, (6) of the 1938 International Joint Commission Order on Kootenay Lake, will occur at 00:00 PDT...

The International Joint Commission announced today that it has added four new seats to its International Red River Board. It is the long-standing tradition of the IJC that members of the Commission’s boards or similar bodies serve on such boards in their personal, professional capacity and not as...

Lower than average precipitation and winter snowpack runoff have resulted in decreased inflows to Lake Ontario. The reduced inflows have resulted in lower water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. In response to these conditions, the Board has decided to reduce outflows from Lake...

While Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above average, the risk of high-water impacts remains. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of high levels upstream and downstream. Last month, Lake Superior declined 2 cm (0.8 in), while on average it declines 1...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has released its fifth report to the Canadian and US governments on the International Watersheds Initiative (IWI), which describes how the Commission has built on its successes to run a program that supports watershed management for water quality and quantity...

Preparations are underway for the removal of the Lake Erie – Niagara River Ice Boom. Lake Erie’s ice cover has rapidly reduced over the past few days.

In accordance with the 2018 Supplementary Order, the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board has determined that the standard rule curve will be used this spring to direct the operation of the dam at the outlet of Rainy Lake.

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,040 m3/s (72 tcfs) in March, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in March.

The risk of flooding on Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River has declined from moderate in December 2020 to low. In December, the risk analysis indicated a 28% chance of water levels exceeding a threshold at which damages occur in many shoreline communities. The risk is now down to 8%...

The International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence Board is optimistic that weather conditions the rest of this winter and spring won’t cause a damaging rise in Lake Ontario levels this year. However, it has been acting proactively since 1 January to reduce lake levels this winter just in case the...

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,050 m3/s (72 tcfs) in February, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in February.

The International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board is hosting a session on a Great Lakes Early Warning System (GLEWS) at the upcoming virtual International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Annual Conference, May 17-21, 2021. The first phase of the GLEWS project was...

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,170 m3/s (77 tcfs) in January, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in January.

The International Red River Board (IRRB) will be hosting a virtual public open house meeting during the Red River Basin Commission Annual Conference on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm CST. The IRRB assists the International Joint Commission (IJC) in preventing and resolving disputes...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has approved the Board’s request for authority to deviate from Plan 2014, and as conditions permit, outflows from the Moses-Saunders dam on the St. Lawrence River can be increased to exceed Plan 2014 flows. The risk of high water on Lake Ontario in 2021 is...

Now more than ever, it’s time to embrace binational cooperation to ensure that the waters and people of the Great Lakes basin are healthy. The International Joint Commission (IJC) has advice for Canada and the United States to improve binational cooperation in Great Lakes water quality programs. In...

Installation of the ice boom for the 2020-2021 ice season is planned to begin as early as December 10, 2020 weather permitting.