News Releases

International Falls, MN, and Fort Frances (Ontario) The   International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) will host an in-person public meeting at the Clarion Lakeside Inn & Conference Centre in Kenora, Ontario on Wednesday, August 14 th from 5:00-7:00 PM (CDT). The meeting will also...

International Falls (MN) / Fort Frances (Ontario) The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) is pleased to welcome its new Canadian Co-chair, Jennifer Vincent who will be serving the Board alongside her counterpart, interim U.S. co-chair Col. Carl Jansen. Vincent will be...

[International Falls, MN, and Fort Frances (Ontario)] The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) will host a follow-up virtual information session on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CDT. This session will be an update to the February 29...

International Falls, MN, and Fort Frances (Ontario) The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) will host a follow-up virtual information session on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CDT. This session will be an update to the February 29...

International Falls (MN) / Fort Frances (Ontario) The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) ’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) established an initial spring regulation plan for Rainy and Namakan Lakes on March 10, 2024. This plan is issued in accordance with a Temporary...

International Falls (MN) / Fort Frances (Ontario) The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (Committee) will host a public meeting in International Falls, MN at the Minnesota North College- Rainy River Campus on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. CST...

International Falls (MN) / Fort Frances (Ontario) The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (Committee) will host a virtual pre-spring information session on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. CST. The Committee ensures that International Joint...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) released its 2022 Post-Flood Report: A Report on High Water Levels in the Rainy River Basin.

Baudette, MN / Kenora, ON The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) is hosting two public meetings: one in Baudette (Minnesota) on August 16 and the other in Kenora (Ontario) on August 17. All are welcome to attend. The purpose of these meetings is for the IRLWWB to provide...

Higher than normal stream flow conditions continue in the headwaters of the Rainy River watershed due to the high spring snowmelt runoff in the eastern headwaters working its way through the Rainy River basin, including flows into the Namakan Chain of Lakes and Rainy Lake. The Water Levels Committee...

Higher than normal stream flow conditions have developed in the headwaters of the Rainy River watershed, including flows into Namakan Lake and Rainy Lake, following snowmelt and precipitation in late April. These high flow conditions have led to the water levels of Namakan Lake rising above its...

The  International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) met to review current conditions and forecasts and determine new lake level targets for the remaining spring freshet. The target water levels for Rainy and Namakan Lake will be within the 25-75% band...

The  International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) met to review current conditions and forecasts and determine lake level targets for the period of April 15-30 following the Public Information Session on April 11th. The target water levels throughout...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) met to review current conditions and forecasts and determine lake level targets for April 15 th. Personnel from the National Weather Service-Duluth Office, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) will host a follow-up virtual information session on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. CDT.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) established an initial spring regulation plan for Rainy and Namakan Lakes on March 10, 2023. This plan is issued in accordance with a new temporary supplementary Order issued by the International Joint...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) has released a draft of its 2022 Post Flood Report. The Committee welcomes public input and encourages all interested parties and individuals to offer their opinions and insights until April 3, 2023. In...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (Committee) will host an in-person information session on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. CST at the Minnesota North College - Rainy River . This information session will provide an overview of the Water Levels...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (Committee) will host a virtual pre-spring information session on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. CST. The Committee ensures that International Joint Commission orders for the operation of the dams on...

Extremely high flow conditions have developed across the Rainy River watershed, including flows into Namakan Lake and Rainy Lake, following record high precipitation in April. These high flow conditions have led to the water levels of Namakan Lake and Rainy Lake rising above their respective Rule...

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 guide the operation of the dam at the outlet of Rainy Lake. Current and forecast conditions...

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 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.

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 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend a virtual meeting with the Board on October 2nd, 2020 at 12:45pm Central Time.

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. Current and forecast...

The Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB or board) is providing the interested public an opportunity to comment on a report developed by a project team to assist it in setting water quality Objectives and Alerts for the basin.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend a meeting of its Water Levels Committee, in International Falls (MN) and a meeting of the entire Board, in Baudette (MN). Details are as follows: --Water Levels Committee Meeting on the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule...

The International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board will be hosting two public gatherings in July focused on the development of water quality objectives and alerts and perspectives on aquatic ecosystem health. The Board’s Aquatic Ecosystem Health Committee is leading...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) invites public comment on its 2018 Review of Environmental Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response in the Boundary Waters of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Drainage Basin.

The Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board will use the high flood risk rule curve on Rainy Lake and directed the dam operators to begin targeting the mid-band of the high flood risk rule curve. The high flood risk rule curve calls for lower than normal...

The International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Rainy‐Lake of the Woods Watershed Board will be hosting two very different public meetings in early March, one focusing on a review of current basin conditions and forecasts, the other a workshop looking at the development of water quality objectives and...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend a meeting of its Water Levels Committee, in International Falls (MN) and a meeting of the entire Board, in Kenora (ON).

During the month of April the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board directed the operators of the international dam on the Rainy River at Fort Frances-International Falls to target the lowest 10 cm (4 in) of the Rule Curve band on Rainy Lake.

Based on input from various stakeholders received and a review on 20 March 2018 of current basin conditions and forecasts, the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board have directed dam operators to adjust the April water level target range for Rainy Lake.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend a presentation by the Board, meet Board members and staff, ask questions, and express concerns. This year, the Board will be holding a public meeting in Tower, Minnesota. See details below.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board was pleased to welcome a new member, Mr. Shane Bowe, at its meeting in Kenora, Ontario on August 10, 2016. Mr. Bowe serves as the alternate member from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and is also a member on the Aquatic Ecosystem Health...

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) will meet with the public in Kenora, Ont. on August 10 to discuss issues related to the management of water quality and water levels in the 70,000 square-kilometer (27,000 square-mile) drainage basin.

The Water Levels Committee (WLC) of the International Rainy – Lake of the Woods Watershed Board is monitoring recent wet weather and forecasts, noting rises in water levels of lakes and rivers in the watershed.

Recent weather conditions have brought warmer than usual weather and above-normal rainfall, resulting in an early start to freshet with rising tributary flows. Under the Rule Curves for Rainy Lake and Namakan Reservoir, prescribed by the Consolidated Order dated January 18, 2001, the refill of these...

Boise Paper and H2O Power LP are undertaking a project to refurbish the canal and dam sluice gates on the International Dam at Fort Frances ON. This project will improve the level of preservation and functionality of the shared infrastructure at the International Dam and Canal.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites the public and representatives of local governments, First Nations / Tribes, and all interested stakeholders to attend its 2015 annual public meetings.

On June 15, the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board directed the owners of the dam at International Falls-Fort Frances (Boise Paper, H2O Power LP) to target the Lower Rule Curve level for Rainy Lake by July 1, and to continue targeting the Lower Rule...

On June 15, the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board directed the owners of the dam at International Falls-Fort Frances (Boise Paper, H2O Power LP) to target the Lower Rule Curve level for Rainy Lake by July 1, and to continue targeting the Lower Rule...

Boise Paper and H2O Power LP are undertaking a project to refurbish the canal and dam sluice gates on the International Dam at Fort Frances ON. This project will improve the level of preservation and functionality of the shared infrastructure at the International Dam and Canal.

On July 18, 2014 the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board directed the dam operators on Namakan Lake to target the Upper Rule Curve rather than the middle portion of the Rule Curve band.

The level of Rainy Lake dropped below the IJC AllGates-Open level (337.9 m, 1108.6 ft) on August 7, 2014 and is expected to return to within the IJC Rule Curve by early next week.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board invites you to attend an open house and public meeting on the Lake of the Woods Basin Water Quality Plan of Study in International Falls and Kenora as well as a public meeting on the water levels regulation in International Falls.

he Lake Woods Water Sustainability Foundation (LOWWSF) and the International Joint Commission (IJC) are pleased to announce the release of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods State of the Basin Report, Second Edition.