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…
Water Levels and Flows
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.
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.
As the global climate changes, so do conditions in the Great Lakes. In coming decades, the Great Lakes are expected to see warmer waters, more frequent and intense storms, less ice cover and greater fluctuations in water levels.
This is the fourth article in a series highlighting how communities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are using innovative solutions to adapt to the current period of high water levels, focusing on work in Minnesota and Ontario to prepare for extreme water levels in the future.
A team at Indiana University is developing guidance to help communities plan for and adapt to climate change in the Great Lakes. The focus is on helping people prepare for that early period in a flood event before local, state or federal help is available.
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%.…