The following is a graph showing typical year Kootenay Lake Elevations.

Year Minimum Maximum
1973 1739.01 1745.03
1974 1739.50 1754.24
1975 1738.52 1747.52
1976 1739.18 1747.25
1977 1738.73 1743.70
1978 1738.97 1747.57
1979 1738.42 1743.80
1980 1738.11 1748.34
1981 1738.00 1749.58
1982 1738.97 1749.03
1983 1738.78 1748.58
1984 1738.72 1747.54
1985 1738.92 1747.32
1986 1739.53 1748.74
1987 1738.73 1746.34
1988 1738.89 1745.57
1989 1739.00 1746.78
1990 1739.40 1749.50
1991 1739.13 1750.15
1992 1738.96 1745.12
1993 1738.95 1745.91
1994 1739.12 1745.62
1995 1738.63 1749.78
1996 1739.05 1751.88
1997 1739.72 1752.88
1998 1738.47 1749.13
1999 1738.35 1750.14
2000 1738.47 1748.27
2001 1737.90 1745.00
2002 1737.97 1751.30
2003 1738.88 1748.96
2004 1738.85 1746.08
2005 1738.55 1747.27
2006 1739.34 1751.57
2007 1740.34 1750.32
2008 1737.88 1749.59
2009 1738.39 1747.80
2010 1738.61 1748.68
 
 

The operation of Kootenay Lake is governed by an order from the International Joint Commission.

The International Joint Commission, or IJC, is a Bi-National organization that administers the Boundary Water Treaty of 1909. The Commission consists of three members appointed by the Governor-in-Council in Canada, and three members appointed by the President of the United States. Headquarters offices in Ottawa, Ontario and Washington, DC., have a small group of advisors and staff to assist the commission in fulfilling its treaty responsibilities. The Boundary Water Treaty provides the principles and mechanisms to prevent and resolve disputes, primarily those concerning water quantity and water quality along the border. The commission issues orders of approval in response to applications for the use, obstruction, or diversion of the waters that flow along or across the border if such uses affect the natural water levels or flows on the other side.

The order governing the storage in Kootenay Lake was established after public hearings were held, with representations from both sides of the Canada - USA border. The IJC formed the Kootenay Lake Board of Control to monitor West Kootenay Power's adherence to the order and resolve any problems relating to the order.

The IJC Order for Storage in Kootenay Lake provides for upper operating limits for the elevations of Kootenay Lake as measured at a gauge installed at Queens Bay.

September 1 - January 7:
The maximum geodetic elevation is 1745.32 feet.

January 7 - January 31:
The elevation gradually declines to a maximum of 1744.00 feet.

January 31 - February 28:
The elevation gradually declines to a maximum of 1742.40 feet.

February 28 - March 31:
The elevation gradually drops to a maximum of 1739.32 feet.

March 31 -
Rise in lake endeavor to keep the level below 1739.32 feet.
In the period after March 31, when the elevation is forced above 1739.32 ft., the lake levels will rise and fall based on a calculated maximum allowable elevation. This maximum is based on actual lake inflow, calculated lake elevation given original discharge conditions prior to the excavation of Grohman Narrows, and a certain lowering below the calculated lake elevation. Once the flood peak is passed and the lake levels recede to an elevation of 1743.32 feet at Nelson, the control becomes an upper elevation of 1743.32 feet at Nelson until September 1.

During the high summer runoff, the restriction of getting water out of Kootenay Lake is the Grohman Narrows between Nelson and the Corra Linn Dam. While the Corra Linn Dam can restrict water flow from Kootenay Lake, the number of gates opened or closed during this time is not an indication that the flow is being restricted. The practice at Corra Linn is to open enough gates so that Grohman Narrows is the restriction.

View the Kootenay Lake water levels over the past 31 days.

View the Kootenay Lake main page