Save The River applauds the Seaway’s announcement that the opening of shipping season will be postponed until April 1. We understand they were previously considering a date between March 20-25. Click here to read an article from the Brockville Recorder and Times preceding the Seaway’s announcement. While this delay validates Save The River’s water level advocacy, we will continue to pressure the Seaway to further delay the opening until mid-April or the beginning of the Ottawa River freshet. This will allow for the highest possible outflow rates and bring more relief to shoreline owners. We will persist in stressing to the IJC the importance of an early completion and publication of the GLAM committee recommendations, as well as the need to keep outflow rates as high as possible to lower the extreme high water levels caused by years of record precipitation throughout the Great Lakes.
This delay of the opening is a beneficial step for shoreline and business owners along the River and Lake Ontario. We want to thank you again for your support of Save The River. Your support makes it possible for us to complete our mission to restore, preserve, and protect the Upper St. Lawrence River now and for generations to come through advocacy, education, and research.
Additional Press Coverage
- Opening of the 2020 Navigation Season and Maximum Allowable Drafts. Announcement from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System
- FAQ 2020 Seaway Navigation Season Opening – from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System
- “Seaway season may be shortened to deal with water levels” from the Brockville Recorder and Times
- “Seaway to open April 1, as high water ‘outflows’ to continue” from WWNY Channel 7
- “Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Shipping Delayed Until April 1” from Spectrum News
- “Seaway opening delayed until April 1, days later than usual” from the Watertown Daily Times
