International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
The International Joint Commission
Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee
March 9, 2016
Castlegar, BC
Presented by:
Gwyn Graham
IKLBC Canadian Secretary
[email protected]
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
1
Kootenay(Kootenai) Basin
2
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
IJC Context
‘Boundary Waters Treaty’
1909 Treaty Between the
United States and Great
Britain (for Canada)
International
Joint Commission
(IJC)
Corra Linn Dam
IJC Kootenay Lake Order of
Approval
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay
Lake Board of Control
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
International Joint Commission
Gordon
Walker
Canada,
Chair
Lana
Pollack
U.S., Chair
Rich Moy, U.S.
Dereth Glance, U.S.
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
Richard Morgan, Canada
Benoit Bouchard, Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
International Joint Commission
• To prevent and resolve Canada/US water issues,
the Commission…
– Receives applications and references on transboundary issues
– Notifies public, undertakes studies and holds hearings to inform
decision
– Issues Orders (e.g. 1938 IJC Order for Kootenay Lake)
– Issues recommendations (i.e. for reference cases)
• The Commission appoints Boards of Control to
monitor compliance with terms of IJC Orders
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Kootenay Lake Board of Control
• Duties of the Kootenay Lake
Board of Control…
– Monitor FortisBC’s operation of Corra Linn Dam for
compliance with terms of IJC Order (e.g. maximum
water levels on Kootenay Lake)
– Assure all other provisions of the 1938 IJC Order are
followed
– Hold annual meetings, report and provide general
support to the IJC on issues relating to the 1938 IJC
Order
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
1938 Kootenay Lake Order
Kootenay River and Corra Linn Dam
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
• Kootenay Lake Order
relates to Corra Linn Dam
(FortisBC).
• 1929: West Kootenay
Power sought IJC approval
for Corra Linn Dam & 6 ft of
water storage in Kootenay
Lake.
• 1938: IJC Order of Approval
for Corra Linn Dam
–
Required excavation at
Grohman Narrows
• Issue: The dam can affect
Kootenay Lake levels and
cause backwater effect up
Kootenai River into Idaho.
•
Article IV of Boundary Waters
Treaty applies
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
Kootenai River Valley , Idaho
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
1938 Kootenay Lake Order
• Directs FortisBC to help pay Idaho
farmers to offset increased pumping
costs for land drainage
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
1938 Kootenay Lake Order
• Directed original Applicant (WKPL)
to dredge Grohman Narrows
(completed in the early 1940s)
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
1938 Kootenay Lake Order
• Directs FortisBC to take advantage of the
channel improvement at Grohman Narrows
to lower peak water levels on Kootenay Lake
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Kootenay Lake Control
Corra Linn Control
Kootenay Lake
(West Arm)
Grohman Narrows Control
Corra
Linn
Grohman
Narrows
Nelson
Queens
Bay
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
• Lake level depends on
balance of inflow and
outflow
• Corra Linn dam does not
have exclusive control of
lake outflow
• When the Corra Linn
forebay is kept low,
control moves upstream to
the channel constriction at
Grohman Narrows
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
1938 Kootenay Lake Order
Maximum Water Elevations Ordered
Storage Period
1745.32
Drawdown Period
1745.32
@ Queens Bay
1743.32
Lowering Formula
@ Queens Bay
@ Nelson
Freshet Period
1739.32
Jan
Spring Rise
Apr
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
Aug Sep
Dec
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Kootenay Lake in 2015
1,758
1,756
Corra Linn control
0
Grohman Narrows control
1,754
2012 High Water
1,752
Rule Curve
Stage (feet)
1,750
1,748
Queens Bay
Nelson
Major Rain Events
Balanced control
1,746
1,744
1,742
1,740
1,738
1
2
13
Commencement of spring rise
2015/04/02
F
M
A and Canada
M
InternationalJJoint Commission–United
States
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Precipitation Anomalies 2015
Kaslo - Precipitation 2015
Benchmark - Climate Normal (1981-2010)
40
40
1
35
35
30
30
25
20
20
15
10
15
10
2
5
0
5
-5
0
-10
ClimNorm_Daily Maximum (°C)
Total Rain (mm)
Total Snow (cm)
Max Temp (°C)
Temp. (°C)
Precip.(mm)
25
Kootenay Lake in 2012
1,758
1,756
Corra Linn control
0
Grohman Narrows control
1,754
Peak water:
1753.78 ft
(July 3rd)
1,752
Rule Curve
Queens Bay
Stage (feet)
1,750
Nelson
Balanced control
1,748
1,746
1,744
1,742
1,740
Commencement of spring rise 2012/04/20
1,738
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
Month
A
S
O
N
D
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Water Level Extremes: Kootenay Lake (Queen’s Bay)
1770
1765
“Lowering” enabled by
dredging
Grohman 1
1929 Condition
Narrows
Modelled Maximum
9
Maximum: 1761.95 ft (1961)
1760
Stage (feet)
Duncan Dam (1967)
1755
Libby Dam (1975)
1750
1745
Maximum Daily
Water Level
Max Pre-Libby range:
24.54 feet
Max. Post-Libby range: 16.36 feet
Minimum Daily Water Level
1740
Minimum: 1737.41 ft (1944)
1735
1931 1935 1939 1943 1947 1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015
Year
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
16
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Summary
• IJC Order dictates maximum water level conditions on Kootenay Lake.
• To date, exceedances have been due to natural climate effects and
influence of upstream CRT operations (no cases of non-compliance).
• The CRT operations reference the IJC Order
• The range of water level variation on Kootenay Lake has been reduced
following development of upstream CRT dams.
• 2015 El Niño: winter rain storms & run-off events (exceedances of IJC
rule curve) and low peak water levels on Kootenay Lake.
• 2012 high water conditions: more manageable winter conditions but
early onset of lake rise due to upstream CRT flood management
operations.
• Grohman Narrows is limiting factor on Kootenay Lake discharge during
high water periods.
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International Joint Commission–United States and Canada
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
Thank-you!
Comments/Questions?
18
International Joint Commission–United States and Canada