Plan 2014 (High Lake Levels)

Opie

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News from around the lake

Below is a news item which is confirming we are not out of harm’s way yet and can expect next spring’s water level to be high once again. All of this water still needs to migrate through Lake Ontario.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-lake-michigan-superior-water-levels-20180709-story.html


But we are lucky to have the drought like weather which is allowing the higher than normal discharge from the Moses Saunders dam
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/low-water-levels-ottawa-valley-1.4746103



and finally, a look a some of the financial impact of last year’s high water level
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-waterfront-repair-budget-shortfalls-1.4748644
 
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Opie

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Monday July 30th, the average level is at 75.04 M


Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, July lake level average was 75.12 M
The average lake level for July in 2017 was 75.69 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 66 F

Next reading date is: Friday August 10th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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Opie

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News from around the lake ... 2 news items about lake levels, you will never make everyone happy

https://www.durhamregion.com/news-s...s-on-premier-ford-to-help-protect-waterfront/


Bowmanville shoreline advocate calls on Premier Ford to help protect waterfront
United Shoreline wants Ford to join call to revoke plan for higher water levels in Lake Ontario
News 10:20 AM by Jennifer O'Meara Clarington This Week



CLARINGTON — A Bowmanville shoreline advocate is joining with American legislators to call on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to help protect lakefront homes and businesses from high water levels and flooding.
“While Premier Ford has only been in office for a month, he comes from a municipality that was hit very hard by the 2017 flooding,” Bowmanville waterfront resident Sarah Delicate said in a press release.
Delicate is the founder of United Shoreline Ontario, a Canadian chapter of a binational grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of the shoreline. On Saturday, July 21 she met with New York’s Niagara County legislator David Godfrey and Orleans County legislator Lynne Johnson to swap flood and erosion stories. The group visited homes, businesses and public spaces all along Lake Ontario.
“We travelled for several hours across different towns, by land and by boat. This harbour, this marina, this beach was closed … these businesses are now up for sale ... these homes were quarantined … these houses will fall into the lake … it was the same story all day.” said Delicate. “I spoke to dozens of families, just regular people, devastated by the flood events. Some spoke of PTSD, and I can believe it. When your most essential needs are threatened by high water, it becomes hard to sleep at night.”

They also discussed the potential impacts of the binational Lake Ontario outflow regulation policy, Plan 2014. The new policy, introduced by the International Joint Commission in January 2017, is designed to bring Lake Ontario’s water levels ‘higher-highs’ and ‘lower-lows.’
“Local governments and shoreline taxpayers feel like they are the unwilling participants of an international experiment that lacks the controls and ethical regulation to be effective science” said Delicate.
The United Shoreline advocates say that Plan 2014 increases lake levels by two inches on average over the year, but it could translate into new water levels over a foot higher in April, May and June. Spring brings the highest rains and most punishing winds, and the shoreline advocates are concerned Plan 2014 will bring rapid erosion and increased flooding.
“Toronto will continue to feel the impacts of Plan 2014, and I can’t imagine that Ford will be OK with that. While Plan 2014 is great for shipping and hydro, it transfers the cost to municipalities and their citizens, without mitigation or compensation,” said Delicate. “Ford won’t be OK with that. I believe Ford will join Cuomo in his call to revoke Plan 2014.”
Delicate is advocating for Plan 2014 to be revoked. To do that a majority vote is required from the three Canadian and three American commissioners of the International Joint Commission. The commissioners are appointed by the federal government in each country, but once appointed they do not represent the national governments; they operate at arm's length.

2 news item below

http://www.northcountrynow.com/news...ned-low-water-levels-lake-st-lawrence-0240045
 
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Opie

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Friday August 10th, the average level is at 74.98 M


Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, August lake level average was 74.99 M
The average lake level for July in 2017 was 75.43 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 70 F

Next reading date is: Friday August 24th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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Opie

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Friday August 24th, the average level is at 74.91 M


Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, August lake level average was 74.99 M
The average lake level for August in 2017 was 75.43 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 68 F

Next reading date is: Friday September 7th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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Opie

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Friday September 7th, the average level is at 74.86 M


Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, the September lake level average has been 74.78 M
The average lake level for September in 2017 was 75.08 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 72 F

Next reading date is: Friday September 21st

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Aug 24 – 74.91
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers & News from around the lake below


http://www.morrisburgleader.ca/2018/09/06/meeting-next-week-to-address-low-water-levels-on-st-lawrence-river/

Meeting next week to address low water levels on St. Lawrence River
September 6, 2018 P. Blancher – Leader staff News
AULT ISLAND – Waterlevels on Lake St. Lawrence, the man-made lake formed from the St. Lawrence River between Iroquois and Cornwall, are among the lowest on record.
The levels have raised the ire of those who live on the lake, or use the waterway including those on Ault Island, a community that straddles South Dundas and South Stormont.
Low water levels prompted a letter to both municipal councils asking for assistance in lobbying for changes.
Water levels are regulated by the International Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River board. The board implemented a new water level plan called Plan 2014, which according to scientists mimicked a more natural progression of levels. This plan would help with wetlands and on the shores of the lake.
The most recent water level readings released by the IJC-SLR on August 29th show water levels are an inch-and-a-half above average on Lake Ontario. Downstream from here on Lake St. Louis in Quebec, water levels are nearly six inches higher than average. Montreal harbour is a fraction of an inch higher than average. Lake St. Lawrence is one foot, three inches below average water levels this time of year.
There are a number of consequences for river users. Some of these were discussed by South Dundas council at its August 14th meeting where the letter from the Ault Island residents group was brought up.
“You see it all over the river,” said councillor Marc St. Pierre. “It’s getting quite dangerous on some of the docks, with the water levels being down so much.”
One of the items discussed was the skirting on the municipal dock in Morrisburg. Water levels are now to the point where boats can go under the skirting.
“It’s a safety risk,” St. Pierre said.
Director of recreation and facilities Ben Macpherson said it was impacting use of the boat launch, and with the re-installation of the finger docks in Morrisburg.
Further down the river, Crysler Park Marina, which is owned and operated by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission recently put out a water depth advisory for some of its slips and channels.
“It’s all very concerning,” said Cliff Steinburg with the Ault Island residents group. “It is impacting on property owners, and even on navigation on the lake.”
Steinburg has been trying to facilitate a meeting between the IJC-SLR and users for months to bring their concerns forward. That meeting will take place September 11th at the South Stormont Township Hall in Long Sault.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

https://buffalonews.com/2018/08/31/editorial-corwins-opportunity/

Editorial: Corwin has opportunity to improve IJC
By News Editorial Board | Published August 31, 2018 | Updated August 31, 2018
President Trump's nomination of Clarence Republican Jane Corwin to become U.S. chair of the International Joint Commission looks like a positive step in calming the waters surrounding the agency.Corwin is a former member of the Assembly and a political ally of Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence. Collins has been among the sharpest critics of the binational body that manages boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada.At issue was the IJC's regulation of Lake Ontario waters after the lake flooded in the spring of 2017. The rising lake caused millions in damage to property along the shoreline, and many residents blamed the IJC's water regulation scheme, called Plan 2014, which was adopted earlier that year.
Both Collins and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo were among the plan's critics. Collins had urged Trump to replace the agency's Obama-era appointees and install new members on the U.S. side. The president obliged, also nominating an appointee from Michigan and one from North Dakota.As damage from the flooding was being assessed in May 2017, Cuomo lashed out at the agency and Plan 2014. "There's no doubt the IJC blew it," Cuomo said. "I mean, they blew it! I don't even see how you could debate that.
A subsidiary of the IJC, the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, in June issued a study absolving Plan 2014 from responsibility for the floods, blaming "extreme water levels."The agency maintained that unusually heavy rains and unconventional ice formation in early 2017 were to blame for the flooding. Local critics charged that the commission could have done more to minimize the damage.In fact, there is no doubt that an extremely rainy spring and summer last year contributed significantly to the flooding. Some places were going to be inundated, and they were: not only on the south shore of Lake Ontario, but along the St. Lawrence River, including Montreal. The question is whether the IJC could have managed it better. That's a question that deserves an honest examination.
Collins' status as a Trump whisperer no doubt helped Corwin get the nod. After her nomination was announced Tuesday, Corwin's words were calm and measured, which means she has a good chance of providing effective leadership rather than just making headlines.Parts of the Niagara County shoreline were in the Assembly district Corwin represented from 2009 to 2016."I believe the thought process was to have somebody from this area be on the commission who was familiar with Plan 2014, because that was such a big issue," Corwin said.She said it would be part of her job as chairwoman "to make sure the commission responds effectively. I think the last two years have been a tremendous learning experience for the commission, and certainly going forward, take those lessons and apply them to make sure harmful impacts are not put on the people in the U.S. or on the Canadian side."A four-year, $12 million study on what can be done to prevent flooding in the Great Lakes basin is advancing through the U.S. Senate. A Senate committee in May gave approval to the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study, which is backed by New York's two senators, Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and supported by Collins and Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo.
Extreme weather appears to be the new normal and taxpayers won't be able to shield owners of waterfront properties against all risk. Nevertheless, the Great Lakes study and the new leadership on the binational IJC may be able identify strategies that can better manage those periods when snow and rain push Lake Ontario beyond its limits. If Corwin does that, she will have rendered a valuable service.
 
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scotto

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Storm warnings in effect with a large amount of rain, lucky for us this wasn't last year. Notice that though we have some pretty big waves, there is still some beach left.
 
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News from around the lake - Lake St Lawrence

https://www.standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/frustration-at-lake-st-lawrence-water-level-meeting/wcm/2a9dd6b0-6840-4655-a6af-522864eb7294


Frustration at Lake St. Lawrence water level meeting
1536849084861.jpg
Todd Hambleton

More from Todd Hambleton

Published on: September 12, 2018 | Last Updated: September 12, 2018 4:19 PM EDT
1536849085287.jpg

LONG SAULT — There was plenty of frustration and some anger being expressed on Tuesday night at a public meeting regarding low water levels in Lake St. Lawrence.
Residents of the region had an opportunity to tell their stories about how the low water level on Lake St. Lawrence is affecting them and their neighbours; the concerns prompting a town hall meeting held at South Stormont Township Hall in Long Sault.
“I’ve never seen the water levels this low,” said Frank Sommerville, of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and one of the many speakers to take a turn at the microphone. “It’s affecting our beaches, it’s affecting our businesses from all of our communities.
“Something has to be done.”
The meeting included a slide presentation by Jamie Dickhout, alternate Canadian regulation representative with the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, who explained how the water flow system involving Lake Ontario and the river works.
1536849085742.jpg

And it had several politicians taking a turn to address the crowd and officials in attendance.
“I know this issue affects just about everyone in the room,” said South Dundas Mayor Evonne Delegarde. “We have to find some solutions.”
The meeting was organized by Cliff Steinburg, director of the Ault Island Community Association, and he was thrilled with the response.
“This is fantastic, I think it’s a great opportunity, it’s an educational evening for all of us,” Steinburg said. “The whole objective is to educate ourselves on a very complex system, (and) why the International Joint Commission makes the decisions it does. And, (officials) will learn from us, how (water levels) affect us in this area. . . anyone living along Lake St. Lawrence or trying to enjoy the beaches, wetlands, ponds or recreational boating is well aware of the extreme low water levels.”
Residents consider it a huge issue, the water levels if not addressed having an effect on tourism, property values and boating.
Steinburg said most people think the problem has been caused by a hot and dry summer, “but reality is (the IJC) is controlling the water level on Lake St. Lawrence,” he said.
Steinburg said the IJC has explained that Lake St. Lawrence is low is because Lake Ontario is high, and there is an attempt to lower the level on Lake Ontario.
“The water level on Lake St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario is controlled by the Moses-Saunders Dam and Long Sault (Iroquois) Dam and when the (water flow through the dam is increased) it acts like a vacuum and pulls the water level down on Lake St. Lawrence,” Steinburg said. “The reason this happens is Lake St. Lawrence is a much smaller body of water. . . it’s a complex system that’s affected by many factors: starting with the Great Lakes, rain and snowfall throughout the system, wind conditions and global warming.”
Steinburg said Plan 2014 was supposed to offer all of the people along Lake St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie a more natural flow of water.
He said excessive rainfall in 2017 caused high water levels and flooding, and Plan 2014 was altered to address high water in Lake Ontario.
“According to the IJC, water levels are still high in Lake Ontario, and this is why we’re experiencing low water levels again this year,” Steinburg said. “For every inch they try and lower Lake Ontario, it lowers the water level on Lake St. Lawrence by approximately 20 inches.”
An IJC representative told the crowd that people from Hamilton to Trois-Rivieres are affected by water levels in the system, and that it’s rare for levels to be this low in Lake St. Lawrence, that the last time levels were lower was 20 years ago, in 1998.
But one resident who spoke blasted the officials, saying that the Lake Ontario problems are being floated down the river, that the huge population and numbers of taxpayers along the lake is why the problem is being pushed to the doorsteps of residents along Lake St. Lawrence.
1536849086226.jpg

There wasn’t much pushback from officials who spoke. Though when things got heated, Steinburg called for cooler heads.
“Hey, I’m a property owner too,’’ he said. “I can’t get my boat off my lift either. . . but we have to appreciate all of the different challenges the IJC is faced with.”
Dickhout said there will be some short-term relief, Oct. 5-7, when Lake Ontario outflow will be decreased, a “one-time opportunity” before winter for residents to remove their watercraft.
Dickhout in her presentation explained the IJC has 10 board members, five from Canada and five from the U.S., and that the Moses-Saunders Dam is “the main control structure that we use to manage the flows.”
She said it’s important to remember the board can’t control water levels, it can only influence them by managing Lake Ontario outflows, that it regulates and adjusts according to conditions on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
She said Plan 2014 is the set of rules designed to manage outflows, rules designed to respond to weather and water supply conditions.“We don’t expect outflows to be this high every year,” Dickhout said. “We don’t expect Lake St. Lawrence levels to be this low every year.”Dickhout said that the board wants community engagement and feedback, but that it’s important for residents to “be prepared for uncertain future conditions.”
thambleton@postmedia.com
twitter.com/FreeholderTodd
 
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More from the same meeting;
High tensions over low water levels in St. Lawrence River

By Shawna O'Neill

Published on September 12, 2018



LONG SAULT, Ontario – South Stormont Township Hall was filled to the brim on Tuesday, Sept. 11 with approximately 150 citizens seeking answers about the low water levels in the St. Lawrence River.

The meeting between the public, the International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Board and the International Joint Commission (IJC) heard pleas from local fisherman, environmentalists, boaters, parks representatives, tourism officials and business owners alike. The meeting started at 7 p.m. and continued past 9:30 p.m.

Jamie Dicout, Regulations Representative from the IJC, commenced the meeting with a presentation detailing the process of maintaining and projecting inflows and outflows of the river under the recently implemented Plan 2014. Dicout said that in most years under this plan, water levels in the St. Lawrence River would have remained higher.
She explained that local water levels in the river have not been this low since 1998 but reinforced that the IJC will take resident’s concerns into account to reassess the Plan through the ongoing review process. A fellow representative from the IJC maintained that mother nature is the driving force behind the levels and that the IJC is ‘very much the junior partner’.

Attendees passionately challenged the IJC and posed critical questions about the water level maintenance process. Several audience members stepped forward to describe in detail how the water has affected them, while other attendees jumped to their feet shouting phrases like: “You’re killing everything we’ve got around here!”, “You’re not doing your job!”, “Talk is cheap!” and “Go back to what you were doing 10 years ago!”

“To achieve a 1 cm change in Lake Ontario water levels in one week requires outflows to be changed by about 320 m3 per-second,” said Dicout. “This same volume in water results in more than ten times change in water levels in critical areas of the St. Lawrence River…”

In light of this information, an attendee questioned why the IJC couldn’t raise the level in Lake Ontario by a few centimeters and consequently allow a greater local water level. The IJC maintained that this occurrence would only offer temporary relief and that they are only mandated to lower or raise the level by a maximum of 2 cm.
Whole article;
https://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/...r-low-water-levels-in-st--lawrence-river.html
 
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Opie

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Friday September 21st, the average level is at 74.785 M


Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, the September lake level average has been 74.78 M
The average lake level for September in 2017 was 75.08 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 68 F

Next reading date is: Friday October 5th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Sept 07 – 74.86
Aug 24 – 74.91
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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News from around the lake

https://www.standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/not-thrilled-with-ijcs-latest-on-lake-st-lawrence-water-levels/wcm/9ffe10d2-b1fb-4070-aa49-5cd16ecea492

Not thrilled with IJC's latest on Lake St. Lawrence water levels
1537878359740.jpg
Todd Hambleton

More from Todd Hambleton

Published on: September 24, 2018 | Last Updated: September 24, 2018 4:27 PM EDT
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Part of the overflow, standing-room-only crowd of several hundred people, at the Lake St. Lawrence low water levels public meeting on Tuesday night. Photo on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in Long Sault, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Todd Hambleton / Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder
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The organizer of what was a contentious town hall-style meeting two weeks ago regarding high water levels in the region on Lake St. Lawrence isn’t thrilled with a media release from the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board.
The report, issued last week, noted regulated outflows from Lake Ontario, as prescribed by Plan 2014, would remain high in response to persistent, high supplies into the basin, specifically from Lake Erie, and that while the high outflows continue to reduce the risk of Lake Ontario flooding, levels on the St. Lawrence River have been impacted, particularly on Lake St. Lawrence in South Dundas and South Stormont where water levels are well below recent averages.
“The only positive information is they are now increasing the water level (on Lake St. Lawrence) on the first two weekends of October to help with the haul out of the boats,’’ local resident Cliff Steinburg told the Standard-Freeholder. “I’m disappointed they did not acknowledge any of the concerns from our Sept. 11 meeting – it seems like they care only about the residents living along Lake Ontario.”
The board in its media release said it would temporarily decrease outflows “significantly” over two, 45-hour periods during the first two weekends of October, to provide an opportunity for residents to remove their boats and other equipment while river levels briefly rise. The outflow will be reduced through the Moses-Saunders Dam from 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 through 4 p.m. on Oct. 7, and from 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 through 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, to assist the end-of-season boat haul outs.
The board is also making changes for conditions as they arise. On Monday, it announced it had reduced the flow through the dam as winds from the east had caused Lake St. Lawrence water levels to dip below the regulated threshold. That adjustment could cause water levels to rise 18 centimetres (7.1 inches), but may not as the east wind continues to push water upstream.
But Steinburg is looking at the longer-term, bigger picture.
“If Lake Ontario is high again next year, we’ll be faced with the same low water levels as this year,” said Steinburg, vowing to fight against local low water levels. “We cannot allow this to happen, it’ll be devastating to the area if we’re faced with low water levels again next year.
If we allow it to happen, we’ll lose our tourists, which will affect local businesses, resulting in loss of jobs. It’ll also affect property values, especially waterfront properties, (resulting in) a reduction in property tax.”
Steinburg said addressing the issue must be a top priority for local politicians.
“I ask for the support of both South Dundas and South Stormont mayors to contact both (MP Guy Lauzon and MPP Jim McDonell) requesting their support to address our concerns as soon as possible,” Steinburg said.
Steinburg added if the International Joint Commission is allowed to continue with low water levels in Lake St. Lawrence in future years, it will have a huge, negative impact, and that local politicians need to understand the urgency of the situation.
“We now need the support of (MP Lauzon) to try and get the appropriate federal officials involved before it’s too late,” Steinburg said. “It’s clear to me that we need to push this to the next level, and we will need all the support we get.”
The board said the reduction in outflows in early October will have the water levels rise possibly as much as 70 centimetres immediately upstream of Moses-Saunders, the effects being gradually reduced moving further upstream, and insignificant west of the Prescott area.
The board in the news release said it acknowledges the concerns identified at recent public meetings, and that it takes each concern very seriously.
The board is charged with managing water levels throughout the entire St. Lawrence River upstream of Cornwall and all of Lake Ontario. The only man-made way to regulate water levels through this entire system is the dams in Cornwall and Iroquois
 
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Friday October 5th, the average level is at 74.72 M

*** should take note that over the next two weeks the IJC will reduce the out flow at the Moses Saunders Dam to help the residents along Lake St Lawrence remove their watercrafts ***

Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, the October lake level average has been 74.61 M
The average lake level for October in 2017 was 74.86 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 58 F

Next reading date is: Friday October 19th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Sept 21 – 74.785
Sept 07 – 74.86
Aug 24 – 74.91
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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Opie

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hey Scott

Happy Thanksgiving !

looking back at the historical data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we came close but we averaged 75.8 to 75.81 M. There may have been a day high of 76 M mid June but I would be lead to believe it was wind driven.
 
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Opie

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Friday October 19th, the average level is at 74.614 M

Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, the October lake level average has been 74.61 M
The average lake level for October in 2017 was 74.86 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 54 F

Next reading date is: Friday November 2nd

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Oct 05 – 74.72
Sept 21 – 74.785
Sept 07 – 74.86
Aug 24 – 74.91
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers and news from around the lakes



Sadly the residents around Lake St Lawrence most likely will see a repeat of a low lake level. The current lake levels for Superior, Huron/Michigan are still at record high levels which mean Lake Ontario will again receive a large steady flow of water next year. Which will require the IJC to continue releasing record amounts of water thru the Mosses Saunders dam pulling down Lake St Lawrence water level for 2019

http://www.morrisburgleader.ca/2018/10/18/slow-progress-in-addressing-water-levels/

Slow progress in addressing water levels
October 18, 2018 P. Blancher – Leader staff News
1539955444209.jpg

Low water levels continue – Ault Island resident Cliff Steinburg (right) and South Stormont mayoral candidate Bryan McGillis stand along the shoreline at Steinburg’s residence. Water levels along Lake St. Lawrence are the lowest they have been in 20 years and sit at the minimum allowed for safe shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway. (The Leader/Blancher photo)
AULT ISLAND – The low water levels on Lake St. Lawrence continue to impact residents throughout South Stormont and South Dundas.
Ault Island resident Cliff Steinburg has been trying to make headway with the governing international board that manages the levels, the International Joint Commission, St. Lawrence River Board, for months and is finally starting to get somewhere.
Since the September 11th meeting in Long Sault, Steinburg has continued pushing forward on the Canadian side of the waterway, working to get modifications made to Plan 2014. That plan uses scientific data and computer models to manage water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River flowing into Lake St. Francis.
“I keep in contact with the Wilson Hill group and with [Rob] Caldwell,” Steinburg told The Leader. Caldwell is with Environment and Climate Change Canada and liaisons with the IJC-SLR board.
Steinburg said he has found support for the area’s issues with water levels from IJC Canadian board member Marc Hudon.
“He is working with us to be able to present our issues to the IJC’s GLAM group,” he said.
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management is the technical group within the IJC that does the scientific and impact analysis of the water levels, and makes recommendations to the IJC board.
“Without the GLAM on side, there won’t be any changes,” Steinburg said.
In addition to working with Hudon and trying to get the GLAM on board for changes, Steinburg is also working on putting pressure on senior levels of government. This is an approach similar to the Wilson Hill group on the US side of the border. That group has enlisted support from local House of Representatives member Elise Stefanik.
“We hope to do that same with our local, provincial, and federal politicians,” Steinburg said.
He said the idea is if there is pressure to act from the government to the IJC, and from the technical team within the IJC, he hopes the board will act.
With that, Steinburg has already enlisted the support of South Stormont mayoral hopeful Bryan McGillis.
“I am involved in pushing this forward even if I am not elected,” McGillis said. “The river levels through South Stormont is the most important issue facing the township. It impacts everything.”
Steinburg said that the process for dealing with the GLAM will be slow, but take place over the fall and winter months. “It won’t help for this year, but for future years hopefully, so that the next time we have low water levels, it won’t be this bad” he said
 
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Opie

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Friday November 2nd, the average level is at 74.67 M – should be noted that the lake level is slightly elevated due to NE winds

Per Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Since 2008, the November lake level average has been 74.54 M
The average lake level for November in 2017 was 74.87 M
Surface water temperature by the lift bridge is 50 F

Next reading date is: Friday November 16th

Reading date / Lake Average 2018
Oct 19 – 74.614
Oct 05 – 74.72
Sept 21 – 74.785
Sept 07 – 74.86
Aug 24 – 74.91
Aug 10 – 74.98
Jul 30 – 75.12
Jul 13 – 75.129
Jun 29 – 75.228
Jun 15 – 75.25
Jun 01 – 75.33
May 18 – 75.35
May 04 – 75.23
Apr 20 – 75.08
Apr 06 – 74.97
Mar 23 – 74.918
Mar 09 – 74.99
Feb 23 – 74.973
Feb 09 – 74.90
Jan 26 – 74.95
Jan 12 – 74.81 M
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reading date / Lake Average 2017
Dec 27 – 74.71 M
Dec 08 – 74.795
Nov 24 – 74.89
Nov 09 – 74.929
Oct 27 – 74.83
Oct 10 – 74.95
Sept 29 – 74.99
Sept 15 – 75.12
Sept 01 – 75.28
Aug 18 - 75.47
Aug 04 - 75.6
July 22 - 75.71

Updated forecast for the remainder of 2018 from the Army Corps of Engineers

 
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