SD&G – Water levels on a portion of the St. Lawrence River are up this Thanksgiving long weekend to allow boaters to pull out their boats.
The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board slowed down the water coming out of Lake Ontario at noon on Friday and will continue to do so through Monday (Oct. 11) at noon.
This action was expected to increase the water level on Lake St. Lawrence by eight-tenths of an inch (2 centimeters) to allow marinas and dock owners to pull out their boats more easily.
As of Wednesday, the level at the Long Sault Dam was nearly 73 meters (239 feet).
The board believes that northeasterly winds across the river may create “less than ideal conditions” and “may prevent water levels from reaching the target of 73.1 meters (239.83 feet).”
To counteract this weekend action, described as a minor deviation permitted under Plan 2014, the board plans to let more water out of Lake Ontario later this month.
Lake St. Lawrence is the dammed portion of the river between Cornwall and Iroquois.