News Releases

The International Rainy River-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board is holding community listening sessions Aug. 10-11 in Fort Frances and International Falls.

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.

The level of Rainy Lake is close to peaking at its highest level since 1950. At the Fort Frances-International Falls dam, all fifteen spill gates have been open since June 6, and the overflow weir that spans the center of the dam began passing water last week for the first time since 1950.

Weather Outlook Bulletin. This bulletin will be sent out daily through the high water period.

The level of Rainy Lake continues to rise as a result of June rainfall far in excess of normal across the drainage basin. The level of the upper Rainy River, between the outlet of Rainy Lake and the International Falls-Fort Frances dam has risen close to elevation of the overflow spillway in the...

Water levels at Boise Powerhouse have nearly reached a critical elevation. If the tailwater elevation increases the generators would have to be shut down. Currently the tailwater is stabilized, however, rain is forecast for later this week. The Water Levels Committee met Tuesday afternoon to discuss...

Rainy River water levels are the highest observed in 85 years, compounding the high inflows to the basin both upstream and downstream of the Rainy Lake outlet. The high water levels on the Rainy River and Little Fork River have backed up to the dam and are impacting the Fort Frances and Boise...

Rain has continued to fall in the basin which has increased already high inflows to area lakes resulting in rising water levels. The basin has not seen these wet of conditions since 1950/2001. The Water Levels Committee met Saturday night to discuss options for outflows from Namakan Lake and Rainy...

Weather agencies in Canada and the United States have issued rainfall warnings/ hazardous weather outlooks for the next day for most of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods watersheds. Rainfall will increase already high inflows to area lakes which will result in rising water levels.

As noted last Tuesday, 3 June in a release from the International Rainy – Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, recent rainfall brought very high inflow conditions throughout the basin, particularly to the southern tributaries of Rainy River, Vermillion River and the Seine River.

The International Joint Commission is closely monitoring the extreme high water levels on Namakan Lake, Rainy Lake and the Rainy River, and is being kept informed of current conditions by the Water Levels Committee of its Rainy – Lake of the Woods Watershed Board.

Rainfall over the past week brought more than 2 in (50 mm) or rainfall to most of the Rainy River drainage basin, with many areas receiving higher amounts, up to 5 in (125 mm). Normal basin rainfall for the first week of June is about 1 in (25 mm).

The late spring melt is working its way through the Rainy-Namakan system. These flows, in combination with recent rainfall amounts, have led to steep rises in tributary flow rates to these lakes. Many of these tributaries have water levels and flows greater than that seen on average once every ten...

The winter of 2014 has been exceptionally cold and snowy in the Rainy River basin, resulting in a very deep snowpack across the region. The large quantity of water in this snowpack increases the risk of high inflows to Namakan Reservoir, Rainy Lake and their tributaries as the spring melt gets...