Technical Work Groups

A number of interests or user groups have been identified as being directly affected by fluctuations of water levels and flows in the Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River system. In order to quantitatively analyze the effects of different outflow regulation criteria and plans on these interests, scientific and technical data must be collected. 

To investigate the existing criteria within the International Joint Commission’s Orders of Approval for the structures controlling the flows and levels of Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence system, and establish new criteria for improved regulation the following work must be done:

  • Review data, findings and reports of the 1993 Levels Reference Study
  • Conduct additional field investigations
  • Collect data, conduct interviews and issue questionnaires
  • Gather studies / data completed by other agencies

The needs of all interests will be assessed, with emphasis on the following interests:

  • Environmental
  • Recreational Boating
  • Shoreline Property

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Study Board has established bi-national working groups, which are responsible for common data collection, using the expertise of the following agencies:

 

Canada

 

 United States

 
  • Canadian Coast Guard
  • Canadian Hydrographic Service
  • Environment Canada, Ontario Region
  • Environment Canada, Quebec Region
  • Faune et Parcs Québec
  • Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force
  • Hydro Quebec
  • INRS-EAU
  • Laurentian and Great Lakes Pilotage Authorities
  • Marina Operators Association
  • Ministère des Affaires municipales, Direction du loisir et du sport
  • Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
  • Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy
  • Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Ontario Power Generation
  • Port of Montreal
  • Public Works / Municipality Representatives
  • St. Lawrence Institute of Environmental Sciences
  • Transport Canada
  • Transport Quebec
  • 1000 Islands International Tourism Council
  • Clarkson University
  • Cornell University
  • Great Lakes Research Consortium
  • Monroe County Water Authority
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northeast River Forecast Center
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • New York Power Authority
  • New York Sea Grant
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • New York State Department of Health
  • St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
  • State University of New York at Buffalo
  • Tuscarora Construction Co. & Willow Shores Marina
  • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
  • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
  • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
  • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division
  • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Institute for Water Resources
  • U. S. Geological Survey

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Study Board recognized that the Technical Work Groups (TWG’s) will need to share the same information and data, as well as develop criteria and collaborate on an improved regulation plan. To aid in this process, the Board has established the following teams:

Information Management
Plan Formulation and Evaluation