News Releases

The International Joint Commission (IJC) released its 2022 Activities Report outlining the projects and accomplishments of the IJC and its boards over the past year. Over the course of the year, IJC staff and boards continued to meaningfully engage with communities, applying local perspectives to...

The International Joint Commission (IJC)’s Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee has begun work on the second phase of an expedited review of the binational regulation plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, known formally as Plan 2014 (Plan). This is the plan...

Due to Lake Ontario water levels decreasing and falling below the Criterion H14 threshold this week, the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board now has the authority to implement deviations from plan-prescribed flows beginning September 24.

Ice has formed in the critical sections of the St. Lawrence River in the Beauharnois Canal and on Lake St. Lawrence. As ice conditions stabilize, outflows from Lake Ontario will be increased in accordance with the rules of the plan.

Currently the regulation plan is prescribing very high outflows, the third highest on record for this time in December, and these plan flows are higher than in December 2020. The regulation plan will continue to prescribe high outflows over the winter.

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board (Board) is seeking your input. The Board would like to collect information specifically related to the reduced outflows from Lake Ontario October 8 through October 11 to support boat haul out and learn more about where people access the water...

(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...

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...

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 US Government Accountability Office issued a report concerning Plan 2014, the current plan used for regulating Lake Ontario outflows, on July 23, 2020. The IJC was pleased to note that the GAO found that process for developing and selecting Plan 2014, was generally consistent with each of the 14...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) recently received $1.5 million in funding from the United States, with an additional $1.5 million in matching funds from Canada, to investigate possible improvements that could be made to Lake Ontario outflow regulation activities.

HIGH LAKE ONTARIO OUTFLOWS CONTINUE - The outflow from Lake Ontario remains very high and it continues to be gradually increased in response to rising Lake Ontario levels and persistently high inflows from Lake Erie.

A series of storm events passed through the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system from April 4-10, resulting in significant precipitation across the region.

Commissioners of the International Joint Commission (IJC) today signed an updated order of approval for the regulation of water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) today announced that Plan 2014 is the preferred option for regulating water levels and flows of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (Board) recently reviewed conditions in theLakeOntario-St.Lawrence River system and has decided to continue to follow Plan flows. The Board will also continue to permit additional under- or over-discharges that may be necessary to address...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting the public to comment on a proposal for managing the water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that will continue to contribute to the economic health of communities throughout the basin while improving the long-term...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold public information sessions to discuss a draft new approach to managing water levels and flows in the Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River system.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) today released information about a new approach to manage water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River system.

The International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (Board) recently reviewed conditions in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system.