Evaluation of Water Resource Management and Use program: chapter 3

Annex 4Description of Water Management Boards

Domestic (Inter-jurisdictional) Water Boards

Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB)

• In 1983, Canada, Quebec and Ontario signed the Agreement Respecting Ottawa River Basin Regulation. Under the terms of the Agreement, the ORRPB was established to plan and recommend regulation criteria for the 13 principal reservoirs of the basin, taking into account flood protection, hydroelectric power production and other interests. Supported by a regulating committee and secretariat, the ORRPB endeavours to ensure that the integrated management of the reservoirs provides protection against flooding along the Ottawa River, its tributaries, and its channels in the Montreal region. EC is a board member and provides the secretariat. 

Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)

• In 1969, the governments of Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba signed the Master Agreement on Apportionment (MAA) to facilitate the equitable apportionment and protection of eastward-flowing interprovincial rivers, streams and groundwater, in terms of both quantity and quality of water. The Agreement also fosters the cooperation of the parties in interprovincial water management. EC has one member on the board (Chair) and the permanent Committees on Groundwater and Water Quality. In addition, the Committee on Hydrology has two members from EC to represent both hydrometric and meteorological monitoring programs. EC conducts the surface water quantity and quality monitoring required to support the MAA. The PPWB secretariat is housed within the Department, and appropriate costs are shared by the four governments.

Mackenzie River Basin Board (MRBB)

• The governments of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon signed the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement in July 1997. The Master Agreement endorses the principle of managing water resources for future generations to maintain the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. It provides for early and effective consultation on potential developments and activities in the basin that could affect the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. It also contains provisions for seven sets of bilateral agreements between adjacent jurisdictions in the basin. EC is the chair and houses the secretariat. Secretariat costs are shared by two federal departments (EC, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) and the five P/T jurisdictions.

Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB)

• Established in 1919, the LWCB is responsible for the regulation of levels in Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul and flows in the Winnipeg and English rivers downstream from these lakes to their junction. In addition, when the level of Lac Seul exceeds certain specified levels, the LWCB controls the diversion of water from Lake St. Joseph (Albany system) into Lac Seul. The LWCB does not fall under the Canada Water Act. Rather, its authority is defined by concurrent Canada-Ontario-Manitoba legislation (The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921; The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1922; The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1958) and is further mandated by a Canada-US treaty (1925 Convention and Protocol relating to Lake of the Woods) since Lake of the Woods is an international boundary body of water. In 2012, the federal member was the chair and EC housed the secretariat. This is a provincial-federal board, with one-third federal funding. 

 

International Water Boards

International Joint Commission Water Boards - established by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty

International Red River Board (IRRB)

• The governments of Canada and the US established the International Red River Board pursuant to the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 in response to the 1997 Red River flood. In 2001, to ensure a more ecosystemic approach to transboundary water issues and to achieve operational efficiencies in the conduct of IJC responsibilities, the IJC combined the ongoing activities and membership of the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board and the International Red River Pollution Board into the International Red River Board. EC provides the co-chair, a member (currently vacant) and the co-secretary for the board. The US co-lead is the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Department has members on the International Red River Board committees on Hydrology, Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems.

International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (ISLRBC)

• The main duty of the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control is to ensure that outflows from Lake Ontario meet the requirements of the IJC. Activities related to these responsibilities include supporting studies to develop and operate the regulation plan and monitoring the gauging and control facilities. The board has a strong technical function in: directing flow releases in the St. Lawrence River on at least a weekly basis; daily monitoring of water levels and flows; balancing upstream-downstream interests; and considering impacts on key sectors, including hydro-electricity, shipping, Port of Montreal operations, shoreline property and environment. It is also involved in public outreach. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair, a secretary, two regulation representatives, technicians and a staff member assisting with outreach. The US co-lead is USACE.

International Niagara Board of Control (INBOC)

• The International Niagara Board of Control was established in 1953 to provide advice on matters related to the IJC’s responsibilities for water levels and flows in the Niagara River. The board’s main duties are to oversee water levels regulation in the Chippawa-Grass Island Pool and installation of the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom. The board also collaborates with the International Niagara Committee, a body created by the 1950 Niagara Treaty to determine the amount of water available for the Falls and power generation. Work therefore includes liaison and overlap with the International Niagara Committee including a strong technical function in supervising water level operations. The EC role is to provide a board co-chair, a secretary and members of the technical working committee. The US co-lead is USACE.

International Lake Superior Board of Control

• The International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for setting Lake Superior outflows and overseeing the operation of the various control works. Activities related to these responsibilities include conducting studies to develop and improve the regulation plan, monitoring repairs and maintenance of the control facilities, and directing flow measurements in the St. Mary River for the purpose of determining the discharge capacities of the various control works. There is a strong technical function in managing the monthly discharge into the lower lakes, balancing lake levels between lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron, and considering impacts on key sectors, including hydro-electricity, shipping and port operations, shoreline property and environment. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair, a secretary, a regulation representative and technical support. The US co-lead is USACE.

Accredited Officer for the St. Mary-Milk Rivers

• The Boundary Waters Treaty provides for apportionment of the waters of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers between Canada and the US. The measurement and apportionment of the water is carried out jointly by Accredited Officers appointed by governments and acting under the direction of the IJC. An accredited officer is appointed from EC on recommendation of the Minister. This role includes a strong technical function in support of bi-national apportionment agreement, and impacts on agriculture through irrigation. EC’s role is to provide an accredited officer, a field representative, a district engineer and hydrometric staff. The US counterpart on the board is the US Geological Survey (USGS). 

Great Lakes Water Quality Board (GLWQB)

• In 1978, the governments of Canada and the US entered into an Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality, under which they assigned special responsibilities and functions to the IJC. The Great Lakes Water Quality Board was one of two bi-national boards established under the Agreement to advise the IJC. EC provides the co-chair and secretariat. The US co-chair is the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)

• The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board was created in April 2013 from a merger of the IJC’s International Rainy River Water Pollution Board and International Rainy Lake Board of Control. The IJC gave the board an expanded mandate to monitor aquatic ecosystem health in all the boundary waters upstream, including Lake of the Woods. The 20 local and government agency board members work closely with each other, and with local stakeholders, to address ecosystem issues under the International Watersheds Initiative. The federal jurisdiction is to provide monitoring and reporting on water quality in boundary waters, which is reported to the board. A Water Levels Committee monitors water levels and flows to avoid the occurrence of emergency conditions on the Rainy and Namakan chain of lakes. The committee monitors lake levels and outflows from the dams at Kettle Falls and International Falls-Fort Frances to ensure that the levels of the lakes are maintained within the range prescribed by an IJC order. The board co-chair, secretary, and water level committee chair are from EC; the regulation engineering advisor is from the LWCB in exchange for EC’s housing of the LWCB secretariat. The US co-lead is USACE.

International Souris River Board

• The IJC combined the ongoing responsibilities of the International Souris River Board of Control and the Souris River aspects of the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board mandates into the International Souris River Board. The board operates under a directive from the IJC dated April 11, 2002. The board monitors the apportionment of waters of the Souris River at its two international boundary crossings consistent with the 1989 Canada-United States Agreement for Water Supply and Flood Control in the Souris River Basin. The board also helps to implement and review the Joint Water Quality Monitoring Program pursuant to the Agreement. In addition, the board keeps the IJC informed of water use and water-related development activities in the basin, such as oversight of flood forecasting and operations. EC provides a board member and a co-secretary. US co-chairs come from the North Dakota State Water Commission and the USGS.

International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control

• Zosel Dam, owned and operated by Washington State, regulates the levels of Osoyoos Lake. The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control supervises the operation of the dam to ensure compliance with the conditions of IJC Orders of Approval. Using EC and USGS stations, board secretaries report water levels and flows to the board in order to monitor applicant compliance with the IJC Orders. They also communicate declarations of drought and a range of public and key stakeholder interests to the IJC. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair and a board secretary. The US counterpart on the board (co-chair and secretary) is the USGS. 

International Kootenay Lake Board of Control

• The International Kootenay Lake Board of Control supervises the operation of Corra Linn Dam to ensure compliance with the IJC Order for Kootenay Lake. Lake level information is reported to the board by board secretaries using data from Environment Canada stations and stations maintained by the dam operator. The board reviews the data and verifies compliance.  The board secretariat also makes a declaration regarding the onset of spring-rise (freshet) conditions with the concurrence of the dam operator. The IJC Order for Kootenay Lake pre-dates the establishment of Columbia River Treaty dams located up-stream of Kootenay Lake - Libby Dam in Montana and Duncan Dam in BC. The Columbia River Treaty (CRT) speaks to respecting the terms of the IJC Order for Kootenay Lake, but operational decisions under the CRT can and have resulted in an inability for the applicant (Corra Linn Dam) to meet seasonal water level targets specified in the IJC Order (particularly pre-freshet low water targets). The board provides a liaison function between the IJC and CRT operations in this regard. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair and a secretary. Our US counterpart on the board (co-chair and secretary) is USACE.

International Columbia River Board of Control

• The International Columbia River Board of Control monitors and reports annually on the effects of the operation of the Grand Coulee Dam and its reservoir, Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, on water levels and flows at the boundary. Unresolved differences arising under the 1961 Columbia River Treatybetween Canada and the US may be referred by either party to the IJC for decision. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair. The US co-lead is the USGS.

International St. Croix River Watershed Board

• The International St. Croix River Watershed Board works with basin stakeholders to help prevent and resolve environmental disputes. It reports on compliance with water quality objectives, pollution control programs and fishery restoration efforts. In addition, the board ensures that privately owned dams on the St. Croix River at Forest City, Vanceboro, Grand Falls and Milltown operate consistently with conditions set by IJC orders of approval. The board also oversees the IJC order of approval for the dam located at Grand Falls in the adjacent St. John River basin. Monitoring of water quality is reported to the board. EC’s role is to provide a board co-chair, a secretary and a Water Quality member. The US co-lead is USACE.

Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee

• The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was established on September 23, 1980, and is composed of government representatives from Canada and the US, as well as one public ex-officio member from both the US and Canada. The Committee currently reports to ministers and oversees monitoring programs to evaluate the potential for transboundary impacts from the Coronach Power generating station and its operations.

 

Other International Water Boards

International Lake of the Woods Control Board (ILWCB)

• The 1925 Convention and Protocol established the International Lake of the Woods Control Board (and the LWCB) on earlier recommendations from the IJC. The board approves the rate of total discharge of water from Lake of the Woods when lake levels rise above or fall below certain elevations. Concurrent with the federal member of the Canadian Lake of the Woods Control Board, it focuses on emergency water levels management (high and low) and impacts on shoreline property and environment. The Canadian member on the board (the co-chair) is provided by EC. The US co-lead is USACE.

International Niagara Committee (INC)

• The International Niagara Committee (which is not an IJC Board) was established by the Treaty of 1950 between Canada and the United States concerning uses of the waters of the Niagara River. The Treaty specifies the minimum amount of water that must flow over Niagara Falls at different times to preserve its scenic beauty and establishes limitations governing the diversions of water for hydro-electric power generation. The INC is responsible for administering the terms of the Treaty and reports to the two governments on an annual basis. The INC consists of two members, one appointed by each country. The INC is supported by an on-site representative from each country and the INBOC, which provides the necessary monitoring and technical support required to administer the Treaty. EC provides the Canadian member, an on-site representative, and technical support for the Committee.

Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data (CCGLBHHD)

• The Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data was established to ensure that relevant agencies of the United States and Canada had a mechanism for agreeing on past and present data concerns related to Great Lakes hydraulic and hydrologic data. This committee, consisting of six members, serves in an advisory capacity to the agencies of the United States and Canada that are charged with the responsibility for collecting and compiling Great Lakes hydraulic and hydrologic data. Three subcommittees--the Vertical Control-Water Levels Subcommittee, the Hydraulics Subcommittee, and the Hydrology Subcommittee--as well as ad-hoc working groups carry out the technical work in support of the Coordinating Committee. EC provides a co-chair and secretary for the Committee as well as members and associates for its subcommittees and ad-hoc working groups.