The International Joint Commission Kootenay Lake Board of Control

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] 1

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada 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 International Kootenay IJC Kootenay Lake Order of Lake Board of Control Approval

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada International Kootenay Lake Board of Control International Joint Commission

Gordon Lana Walker Pollack Canada, U.S., Chair Chair

Rich Moy, U.S. Dereth Glance, U.S. Richard Morgan, Canada Benoit Bouchard, Canada

International Joint Commission–United States and 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 International Kootenay Lake Board of Control 1938 Kootenay Lake Order • Kootenay Lake Order Kootenay River and Corra Linn Dam 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

• Lake level depends on

Corra Linn Control balance of inflow and outflow Kootenay Lake (West Arm) • Corra Linn dam does not have exclusive control of

Grohman Narrows Control lake outflow • When the Corra Linn forebay is kept low, control moves upstream to Corra Grohman Queens Nelson Linn Narrows Bay the channel constriction at Grohman Narrows

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada International Kootenay Lake Board of Control 1938 Kootenay Lake Order Maximum Water Elevations Ordered

Storage Period Drawdown Period 1745.32 1745.32 @ Queens Bay @ Queens Bay 1743.32 Lowering Formula @ Nelson Freshet Period 1739.32 Spring Rise

Jan Apr Aug Sep Dec

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada 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

1,750 Queens Bay

Nelson Major Rain Events 1,748 Balanced control

Stage (feet) Stage 1,746 1 1,744 2 1,742

1,740 13 Commencement of spring rise 2015/04/02 1,738 InternationalJ Joint CommissionF –MUnited StatesA and CanadaM 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

C) °

.(mm) 20 15 Temp. ( Temp.

Precip 10 15 2 5 10 0 5 -5

0 -10

ClimNorm_Daily Maximum (°C) Total Rain (mm) Total Snow (cm) Max Temp (°C) Kootenay Lake in 2012

1,758

1,756 Corra Linn control 0

Grohman Narrows control 1,754 Peak water: 1753.78 ft 1,752 Rule Curve (July 3rd) Queens Bay

1,750 Nelson

Balanced control 1,748

Stage (feet) Stage 1,746

1,744

1,742

1,740 Commencement of spring rise 2012/04/20 1,738 J F M A M J J A S O N D Month International Kootenay Lake Board of Control Water Level Extremes: Kootenay Lake (Queen’s Bay)

1770 “Lowering” enabled by dredging1929 Condition Grohman 1 ModelledNarrows Maximum 9 1765

Maximum: 1761.95 ft (1961)

1760 Duncan Dam (1967)

1755 Libby Dam (1975)

1750 Stage (feet) Stage Max Pre-Libby range: Maximum Daily 24.54 feet Water Level 1745

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 16

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada 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.

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada International Kootenay Lake Board of Control

Thank-you! Comments/Questions?

International Joint Commission–United States and Canada