Persistent downpours across the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River basin have caused a significant surge in the Ottawa River’s flow and a consequent rise in Lake Ontario’s water levels. The lake’s levels have been increasing at an estimated rate of 2 cm (0.8 inches) daily and are anticipated to hit 75.30 meters (247.05 feet) today. Meanwhile, the St. Lawrence River’s levels at Pointe-Claire, Montreal, have surpassed 22.20 meters (72.83 feet).
The ongoing wet conditions and rainwater runoff pose a risk of flooding in susceptible areas along Lake Ontario’s shoreline and further downstream along the St. Lawrence River, potentially affecting Lake St. Louis and Lake St. Pierre.
Although the water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River are currently anticipated to stay below the record-breaking highs witnessed in 2017 and 2019, the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board is closely monitoring the situation. The board is adjusting Lake Ontario’s outflow into the St. Lawrence River in line with the Plan 2014 F limit.
Ontario Power Generation took action on Wednesday to modify the gates at the Iroquois Dam, aiming to prevent extremely high water levels in Lake St. Lawrence, which is situated upstream from the Moses-Saunders Dam to Iroquois, ON, on the St. Lawrence River. This measure does not affect the outflow from Lake Ontario or the water levels in other parts of the system.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]