Kootenay Lake’s water levels remain in compliance with International Joint Commission (IJC) regulations, although they’re hovering near historic lows.
According to the latest update from the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC), the lake is currently experiencing low inflows and water levels due to above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation in the basin.
The IKLBC oversees the operation of FortisBC’s Corra Linn Dam, where Kootenay Lake Levels are controlled.
The board is responsible for ensuring lake levels remain in line with the IJC’s 1938 Order of Approval Rule Curve, which sets limits on maximum lake levels for continued agricultural operations along the Kootenai River.
Under the order, when the lake’s elevation drops below 531.36 metres – as measured at the Nelson gauge – they must be held below this threshold until Aug. 31.
This condition was met on July 2, when the lake dropped below the 531.36-metre mark – where they will remain now until the end of August.
The board said levels will be allowed to rise to 531.97 metres beginning Sept. 1, as measured at the Queens Bay gauge used for compliance.
Kootenay Lake inflows peaked at 2,087 cubic metres per second on May 30 but declined throughout the spring and summer, reaching current near-historic lows.
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