Record high outflows continue across the Lake Ontario basin thanks to mild temperatures.
Water continues to flow at Moses-Saunders Dam in Cornwall at up to 10,700 cubic meters per second but the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board is expecting to have to reduce outflows because of the drop in temperature today (Wednesday).
The reduction will allow ice to form on the river and the board says they will continue to set outflows as high as possible based on changing conditions throughout the basin such as maintaining a minimum water level for a power generation plant and wind-driven water level changes.
Residents are advised they may see both high and low water levels this winter as the board implements a winter deviation strategy.
Extreme low water conditions are occurring now under the very high outflows being released. High water conditions will occur on Lake St. Lawrence whenever outflows are reduced to allow for stable ice cover formation. The winter deviation strategy aims to take full advantage of all opportunities to safely maintain maximum possible outflows and help reduce the probability of high water conditions occurring this year on Lake Ontario.
