International Joint Commission The International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Study: An in-depth, five-year study to determine if and how we can improve upon the way we manage levels and outflows from the Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River system.
Satellite View of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Lake Ontario
The Geographic Scope Ottawa River Lake St. Pierre Lake St. Francis Lake St. Lawrence Lake St. Louis St. Lawrence River Lake Ontario Niagara River
To Begin With - Why Do We Need a Regulation Plan Anyway?
Nature s Regulation Plan (pre-project) - The St. Lawrence River s International Rapids Section
International Rapids Section
The Current Regulation Plan Plan 1958-D Based upon 1950 s technology Was designed prior to any practical experience with regulating the Lake and River over time Was guided by the political, social and economic climate of the 1950 s Has been in effect since 1963
Regulation Process International Joint Commission (IJC) Established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 International St. Lawrence River Board of Control Established by the IJC in 1952 to administer the Plan Regulation strategy 1950 s criteria interests needs discretionary deviations
Why Does Plan 1958-D D Need Revision? In operation, it has been necessary to deviate from Plan 1958-D D over 50% of the time. (much of this deviation has occurred as a result of trying to adjust to our experience and accommodating additional interests)
Why Does Plan 1958-D D Need Revision? It is clearly outdated with respect to: No environmental impact assessment has been done Inclusion of modern technology and knowledge base (computerized modeling, satellite imagery, climate change, etc.) It s failure to incorporate our years of experience working with the system (a living plan) Our changing interests and social patterns since the 1950 s - Recreational boating Tourism Urban/Suburban development Water use and conservation
Earlier Attempts at Revision International Great Lakes Levels Study 1973 Update of Studies to Improve Lake Ontario Regulation 1980 International Great Lakes Levels Reference Study 1993 Updated Regulation Plan Studies 1997 Plan 35P (a.k.a. Plan 1998) IS Model
Why Has the Regulation Plan NOT Been Updated since 1963?? Plan was approved by the IJC under the Treaty of 1909 and can be changed only by the IJC. The current plan must still conform to criteria established by the IJC in 1956. Studies using today s knowledge and technology must be conducted to evaluate the proper criteria prior to any change. The public has never really bought-in to the previous proposals.
The International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Study - What s it all about?
The Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Study A Technical/Scientific Review and Study of: The Current Criteria in the IJC s Orders of Approval. The Current Regulation Plan (Plan 1958D). The International Study Board 14 Members, 7 each from Canada and U.S. Responsible for Oversight of the Study The Public Interest Advisory Group (PIAG). 24 Members, 12 each from Canada and U.S. Technical Working Groups for each Area of Study. Five Years to Complete Studies. Funding Will Be Provided on a Year to Year Basis.
AREAS OF STUDY Environment - (Lake Ontario, Upper & Lower River) Wetlands, Fish & Wildlife Habitats, Biodiversity, etc. Coastal Erosion/Riparian (shoreline residents) Recreational Boating & Tourism Municipal, Industrial & Domestic Water Intakes Commercial Navigation Hydropower Hydraulic & Hydrologic Modeling Common Data Needs (GIS/bathymetry mapping) Plan Formulation & Evaluation
Study Organizational Chart P u b l i c C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Canadian Citizens Canadian Government United States Citizens United States Government B r i d g e Treaty of 1909 International Joint Commission Study Board PIAG T e c h n i c a l W o r k i n g G r o u p s
Public Interest Advisory Group Meeting NAV CANADA Cornwall, ON - May 16, 2001 A volunteer group of twenty-four citizens (twelve each from Canada and the U.S.) representing various interests and geographic areas throughout the Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River system.
The Negative Impacts of Water Level Fluctuations
Erosion Impacts Damage to structures along bluffs Loss of infrastructure Reduction in property value due to loss of land
High Water Impacts Damages to shore protection structures Losses due to flooding of structures Damage to contents of structures Loss of commercial revenue Cost of clean-up and restoration
Wind & Wave Action
Residential Flooding
Low Water Impacts Impacts on municipal, industrial and domestic water intakes and discharges Losses to recreational boating and tourism (revenue losses) Losses to fish hatcheries Increased dredging costs
Lake St. Lawrence - August 7, 1997! " Normal Shoreline 80 ft. Dock # Intakes Water Lines
Lake Saint Pierre - August 18, 2001
Additional Low Water Impacts
Low Water Impacts on Boating
10,000 Carp Die in Lower St. Lawrence River
The Positive Impacts of Water Level Fluctuations Provides More Natural Outflow Conditions Preserves and Protects the Health of Wetlands Variation in levels provides for control and reemergence of plant species in wetland areas
The Major The Areas of Interest and Study
Protecting Our Environment Protected Species Habitat Enhancements Exotic Species Wetlands
Coastal Erosion
Recreational Boating & Tourism
Hydropower The Moses - Saunders Power Dam
Commercial Navigation
The Panamax Luck The moored at Contrecoeur - September 21, 2001 As can be seen at right, she has to ride 85 cm. higher due to low water conditions. This 85 cm. difference in draft translates to $50,000 in shipping costs on each trip. Normally - 11.2 m. Presently - 10.35 m.
Some commonly heard questions and comments about the system
How is this study different from the previous ones? The study allows for the examination of the original and existing criteria. It allows for consideration of additional criteria such as the environment, recreational boating, tourism, shoreline damage (not just flooding). The various technical studies will be in-depth, using the latest technology. It will engage the public from the onset. It will incorporate the public s natural knowledge at all points in the study process.
What do the other Great Lakes have to do with us anyway?
Why do we have so much variability in Lake Ontario levels?
Lake Ontario Water Supplies Lake Erie Outflow (85% of supplies on average) Evaporation Precipitation Runoff Lake Ontario Outflow Lake Ontario Ground Water
If we use the dam to change the water levels, doesn t it change the levels just about the same for everyone?
The Geographic Scope Lake St. Lawrence Lake St. Louis St. Lawrence River Lake Ontario
Decreasing the Outflow at the Dam for 1 Week +30 cm 2 cm +2 cm 2 cm -23 cm Lake Ontario Lake St. Lawrence Lake St. Louis
Increasing the Outflow at the Dam for 1 Week +23 cm 2 cm 2 cm -2 cm -30 cm Lake Ontario Lake St. Lawrence Lake St. Louis
Why do they keep changing the chart datum numbers (IGLD 1955, IGLD 1985, etc.) for the levels and elevations?
Post-Glacial Rebound per 100 years
The #1# Concern & Goal Must Be: To Preserve and Maintain the Overall Health of the Lake Ontario & St. Lawrence River System
If for no other reason... To Protect the System for Our Children and Grandchildren
Thank You Prepared by the Pubic Interest Advisory Group of the International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Study
If you know of another organization that would like to see a presentation of this information from the Public Interest Advisory Group, contact - Ms. Amanda Morelli Ms. Arleen Kreusch International Joint Commission International Joint Commission Canadian Section U. S. Section 234 Laurier Ave. West, 22nd Floor 1776 Niagara Street Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6 Buffalo, NY 14207 Tel: (613) 992-5727 Tel: (716) 879-4438 MorelliA@ottawa.ijc.org arleen.k.kreusch@usace.army.mil For technical information concerning the International Lake Ontario - St Lawrence River Study, contact - In Canada: Ed Eryuzlu EryuzluE@ottawa.ijc.org In United States: Dr. Tony Eberhardt Anthony.J.Eberhardt@lrb01.usace.army.mil On the internet - www.losl.org