Category:Water Level Spring 2011

The following e-mail is from Phil Hall from MNR and the attachement are the water level and flow charts for Lake Nipissing and French River with the dam status and flows included. The chart seems a little complicated, but is not as bad as it first appears. By studying the legend and comparing it to the chart it becomes clear.

The information on the chart which most interests us are the levels of Lake Nipissing. According to the chart, our mean spring and summer, or the desirable levels, are 195.850 meters. The chart shows the current level as 184.850 meters or one meter (39 3/8") below this level. The normal level desired by MNR for this time of year would be 194.630 meters or .220 (8 5/8") below present level. I received an e-mail today from Phil Hall stating that this mornings level stands at 194.94 meters or .310 (12 1/4") meters above their desired levels. If we can believe the chart and I think we should be able to, then the water levels are being brought higher to try to fill the lake for this summer. I certainly hope that these readings are correct and if they are not, Phil Hall has asked for a meeting with our committee to explain, what and why they do the things they do to manage water levels and will be able to be questioned on the matter at that time. The only problem is that Phil cannot attend on Fridays or weekends and that can make it difficult for people from out of the lake area. I will try for an evening meeting to make it as easy as possible for most to attend. I will inform everyone about when and where this meeting will be held, and hopefully we can have a good attendance.

Barry Date: 03/22/11 16:33 Subject: FW: French River Dam Water Level Chart - March 21, 2011

Mr. Quibell, attached is the weekly chart displaying water levels and flows. The heavy red line shows the current water level of Lake Nipissing. The dotted red line shows the level average from over 51 years of data. The two solid thinner red lines show the operating curve or optimum range for the lake’s level. You can see that 5 of the 8 gates on the 3 dams are fully closed. ..Phil Phil Hall Lands and Waters Technical Specialist North Bay District