Despite the record high outflows at Moses-Saunders Dam because of mild temperatures and minimal ice cover, water inflows to Lake Ontario were also the highest on record.
The latest record outflows come as the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board continues to deviate from Plan 2014 to maximize outflows and remove as much water from Lake Ontario as conditions will allow to reduce the risk of high water this spring.
The board says outflows averaged 9,210 meters cubed per second in January while Lake Ontario rose as record inflows averaged 10,140 m3/s. The high inflows were largely the result of heavy rainfall that rapidly increased streamflows during and following the storm January 11 and 12.
The net result is that water levels have begun to rise from their seasonal low, reached in December, and Lake Ontario’s level was 75.13 m (246.49 ft) as of Thursday, February 6 and again near record highs for this time of year.
Flows will be reduced temporarily starting this afternoon as ice has begun to re-form.
The board says they continue to closely monitor conditions and look for every window of opportunity to continue maximizing outflows to the extent possible to reduce the risk of high levels in 2020.
