Save The River staff recently attended a webinar hosted by the IJC which covered a lot of information regarding water levels. The presentation from Commissioner Corwin and supporting professionals is well done and includes answers to frequently asked questions. The webinar can be viewed by following this link. Commissioner Corwin also speaks on the IJC’s decision to further delay shipping season at 1:14:00 – 1:16:00.
By notifying the Seaway that if conditions warrant the continued release of high outflow rates, the IJC and International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board (ILOSLRB) will continue that rate of release after giving the Seaway proper notice. The IJC is taking a strong stand on getting the maximum amount of water out of the system prior to the beginning of the Ottawa River freshet. This action recognizes that these high rates of outflow are imperative to bring some measure of relief to riparians and business owners along the River and Lake Ontario shorelines from the extreme high water that was caused by years of record precipitation in the Great Lakes basin.
Save The River, on behalf of our members and followers, is continuing to back this course of action by the IJC and ILOSLRB. We also continue to advocate for the acceleration of the GLAM review process to determine if any modifications should be made to Plan 2014. We still believe we will have high water this spring and summer, and you should plan for it. The continuation of high rates of outflow will help to take inches of water out of the system.