New Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool Helps Understand Water Levels

NELSON, BC and BONNERS FERRY, ID, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - A new web-based tool provides information to better understand the complexities, competing interests and physical limitations in the management of Kootenay Lake's water levels. You can access the Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool on the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC) website at static.ijc.org/klv/app.html.

Kootenay Lake water levels are impacted by many factors, including the 1938 Order of Approval, physical limitations and other demands. This interactive tool will help communicate those factors to the public.

The tool features several key components, including:

• A Hydrograph (time series plot showing river flow (discharge) or lake levels (elevation)) which shows inflow into Kootenay Lake, outflow from Kootenay Lake, maximum Grohman Narrows capacity and Kootenay Lake water levels representing dry, normal and wet years.
• A Water Profile which shows water elevations for conditions representing different conditions at several points in the Kootenay Lake system from Porthill, Idaho, to Corra Linn Dam near the lake's outlet.
• An Outflow Limiting Factor Gauge which shows what is currently limiting outflow from the lake for the selected condition (or year): Corra Linn Dam or Grohman Narrows.

The Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool will be an invaluable resource for Kootenay Lake residents, businesses and other stakeholders in the basin, helping people better understand the complex factors at play in managing this unique and vital natural resource.

• Kootenay Lake is a natural lake located on the Kootenay River in British Columbia, Canada, 25.7 kilometers (16 miles) upstream of the confluence with the Columbia River. The IKLBC is responsible for overseeing that FortisBC operates Corra Linn Dam such that Kootenay Lake levels are in compliance with the 1938 Order of Approval Rule Curve.
• Under certain high and low flow conditions, Grohman Narrows controls maximum outflows from Kootenay Lake. Under other conditions, the lake level is controlled by Corra Linn Dam, owned and operated by FortisBC, in compliance with the 1938 Order of Approval from the IJC.
• The Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool was funded by the IJC's International Watersheds Initiative and developed by the IKLBC in coordination with Sytec Engineering Inc. of Burnaby, British Columbia.
• Subscribe to receive periodic email updates on hydrologic conditions for the Kootenay basin, annual public meeting announcements and special projects in the basin. Sign up at eepurl.com/ivl4jo.

Sonja Michelsen, US Secretary
Martin Suchy, Canadian Secretary
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control

SOURCE International Kootenay Lake Board of Control