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Water Level Bulletin

Flood Warning Update for Lake Ontario - June 16, 2017

The Flood Warning issued on May 8, 2017 for Lake Ontario and Bay of Quinte shoreline from Grafton to Quinte West remains in effect.

Lake Ontario water levels have started a slow decline but still remain above the highest water levels recorded at any time since 1918. The water level at Cobourg has dropped 9 cm since the highest daily average level of 75.88 masl was recorded on May 26. Water levels are approximately 90 cm above its long-term average level for this time of year.

Commencing June 14, the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board has temporarily increased the outflow from Lake Ontario from 10,200 m3/s to 10,400 m3/s in order to increase the rate of decline and provide all possible relief along the shorelines of the entire Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River system, balancing water levels upstream and downstream to minimize flood and erosion impacts to the extent possible. This increase in outflow is only now possible as the recent severe flooding along the Ottawa River and in the Montreal area on the St. Lawrence River has decreased.

Since maintaining a continuous outflow of 10,400 m3/s is historically unprecedented and will significantly increase currents in the St. Lawrence River, the Board and stakeholders will be assessing the safety of conditions before committing to sustaining this outflow for a longer period of time.

Further information on flow regulation out of Lake Ontario can be found at the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/InternationalLakeOntarioStLawrenceRiverBoard, and the International Joint Commission web site: www.ijc.org/loslr/en/background/index.php.

With the higher Lake Ontario outflows, it is anticipated the rate of decline may approach 1 cm per day. Any significant precipitation over the next few weeks could slow the decline. The public should anticipate unusually high lake levels to persist well into the summer months. Water levels have also been and will continue to fluctuate locally during periods of strong winds.

Property owners are also reminded that any shoreline protection or restoration/repair work along the shoreline (e.g., placement of fill, armour stone, etc.) will require a permit from Lower Trent Conservation and should call the office or visit the website (www.ltc.on.ca) for more information.

Lower Trent Conservation continues to monitor water levels and weather forecasts as part of its flood forecasting and warning program.If you have concerns about water levels, please contact Lower Trent Conservation at (613) 394-4829.

This Flood Warning will remain in effect until (or updated before) Friday, July 14, 2017.