Anglers cautioned about disruption in river flows Saturday

They're shutting down the Great Lakes Power plant for much of Saturday to inspect underwater power cables in the GLP intake canal.

That's expected to have significant effects on water flow and levels in the St. Marys River.

The following notification was E-mailed to us at 4:11 p.m. on Friday.

*************************** International Lake Superior Board of Control

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anglers and Visitors Cautioned of Water Level and Flow Changes in the St. Marys River on Saturday, August 30, 2003

The International Lake Superior Board of Control advises that there will be some changes in the water levels and flows of the St. Marys River this Saturday, August 30 as a result of a temporary shut down of the Great Lakes Power Limited (GLPL) plant at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

All visitors and anglers need to be cautious of the potentially hazardous currents and fluctuating water levels and flows in the St. Marys River, particularly in the vicinity above, and below the Great Lakes Power Limited plant this coming Saturday.

The temporary shutdown will allow the inspection of underwater power cables located in the GLPL plant's intake canal.

The inspection is scheduled to start this Saturday, August 30, at about 6:00 a.m. and end by 7:30 p.m EST (7:00 a.m. to 8:30 pm EDT).

During this period, there will be no water flow at the GLPL plant, resulting in a 47 percent reduction of the flow of the St. Marys River to about 1,060 cms (37,500 cfs).

The reduction in the river flow is expected to lower the water levels in parts of the lower St. Marys River.

The maximum lowering, due to the GLPL shutdown is estimated to be about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) at the U.S. Slip Gauge just downstream of the locks.

The effect gradually diminishes downstream.

Water levels at U.S. slip are expected to fall below its chart datum elevation of 176.4 m (578.7 feet), IGLG 1985, temporarily.

A small rise in the water level may occur in the power canal above the plant and in the river's entrance to the canal.

The flow in the St. Marys Rapids will not be affected.

Upon completion of the cable inspection, Great Lakes Power Limited will return to full capacity operation using its water allocation for the month of August.

This temporary reduction in flow is too short to affect the water levels of Lake Superior or Lakes Michigan-Huron.

Brigadier General (P) Steven R. Hawkins, Commander, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is the United States Board Member.

Mr. Carr McLeod is the Board Member for Canada.

The Internet homepage at http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/ provides access to additional information.