Announcement of 2021 Spring Rise on Kootenay Lake: April 21, 2021

Date

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 on April 21, 2021. The maximum allowable level of Kootenay Lake will thereafter be calculated based upon the lowering formula defined in paragraph 2, (6) of the Order until the lake returns to elevation 1743.32 feet at Nelson on the recession limb of the snowmelt hydrograph.

The level of Kootenay Lake, as of 00:00 PDT April 21, was 1,738.93 feet (530.026 m) as measured at Queens Bay (FortisBC gauge), while lake inflow was 19,200 cfs and outflow was 16,600 cfs. Prior to the declaration, Kootenay Lake outflow was being controlled at Corra Linn Dam.

For reference, the lowest daily average Kootenay Lake level for 2021 (Queen’s Bay) was 1738.63 feet (529.934 m) on March 31, 2021.

The Order may be viewed here: https://ijc.org/en/klbc/1938-kootenay-lake-order.

If you have any questions about this declaration, please contact Martin Suchy (Canadian Section Board Secretary, Martin.Suchy@canada.ca ), or Kevin Shaffer (U.S. Section Board Secretary, Kevin.P.Shaffer@usace.army.mil).