The International St. Lawrence River Board of Control has decided to release outflows up to the capacity of the hydropower facilities for the next several weeks, provided this does not cause levels downstream to reach flood alert levels.

The decision followed a review of conditions in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system.

If basin conditions continue to stay wet, the board said it might direct an increase in flows that will require water to be spilled – that is, bypassing the hydropower generating stations.

Snowmelt and heavy rains have caused levels of the St. Lawrence River near Montreal to rise well above average since mid-April.

The board reduced Lake Ontario outflows in late April and early May in order to keep levels below the flood alert level near Montreal. Water levels on both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River can vary considerably from year to year.