Changes considered to Rainy Lake water levels policy
The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board’s water levels committee is looking to make a pilot project permanent.
It is reaching out to the public for comment on the use of Temporary Orders to help manage water levels on Rainy Lake.
The measure was tried over the last three years.
The Water Levels Committee uses the orders to test the use and functionality of combining the 2018 Standard Rule Curve and High Flood Risk Rule Curve (HFRRC) into one large band.
It also explored the impact of changing when a decision is made regarding the High Flood Risk Rule Curve.
The study concluded that the Temporary Orders provided more flexibility in spring operations and offered no significant additional risk to lake users or the environment.
The Committee makes five recommendations for the International Joint Commission to consider.
1) Issuing a new Supplementary Order, amending the 2018 Supplementary Order.
2) In keeping with the 2023 to 2025 Temporary Orders regarding regulation of Rainy Lake, the new Order replace the March 10th high flood risk determination and announcement, with March 10th being the date by which the WLC will announce its initial spring regulation plan each year.
3) The revised Order maintain the same standard rule curve for Rainy Lake as was established through extensive study during the last rule curve study ending in 2013. The WLC will oversee the regulation of Rainy Lake to stay within the standard rule curve, with target setting and water level references issued relative to the standard rule curve (i.e. “percent of band” of the standard rule curve).
4) The HFRRC, as defined in the 2018 Supplementary Order, be maintained, but referred to as the Spring Buffer Zone”
5) The revised Order changes allow the WLC to use the “Spring Buffer Zone” at any time during the spring, as conditions warrant and as operationally feasible, with IJC approval. When targeting or reporting water levels in the Spring Buffer Zone, reference will be used relative to the bottom of the standard rule curve (e.g., target X cm/in below the rule curve by March 31, etc.).
The IJC will accept comments on the recommendations until January 8, 2026.
To comment, click here.
