Updated May 13, 2025:
Good afternoon,
We have heard from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) about maintaining the appropriate water levels on Matinenda. We had shared last Friday that the MNR was drawing down the water levels since they were too high. Now they are putting logs back in to slow the draining. Please review their comments below and let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
LMCOA Board
Message from Ministry of Natural Resources:
“We are heading out to Mateninda right now to put 3-4 logs back in the dam (we currently have 6 out) and then we will reassess the water levels. I am hoping to be in “summer set” in the next week or so.
We continually monitor all the dams we operate. Closing up is done a little slower and we try to time it for just before the run-off stops, which is now.
We will “drop” our logs today and assess where the lake levels are at. It is possible we my go back as early as next Monday to place the final logs and jack down the dam (seal the logs to prevent leakage)”
Original Message on May 9, 2025:
We have heard from a number of association members over the last week about the current water levels on the lake being too high. We have been in contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and they have provided the update below. The overall message is that the water levels are higher than MNR would like but are still within their compliance range. MNR is working to reduce the levels and over the last week they have gone down 22cm or just under 9″. MNR shared that it has been a challenging spring season where they have dealt with flooding impacting communities, dams, roads and highways.
We will stay connected with MNR and will keep you informed of any major updates. Also, we will be sending out our spring newsletter in the next few days. Please keep a watch out for it.
If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at lmcoacontactus@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Your LMCOA Board
Message regarding Lake Matinenda water levels from Ministry of Natural Resources from May 8th 2025:
The water level at the Matinenda Lake Dam was 233.02 meters as of 2pm this afternoon. The level is 0.257m (25.7cm) higher than our maximum target level of 232.763m for this time of year, however is still 0.37m (37cm) lower than our maximum compliance level of 233.39m. The water levels are definitely higher than we would like them (our target level) however are still within our compliance range. We are continuing to coordinate the release of water from Matinenda Lake with the North Shore Power Group to ensure the controlled drawdown of the high water levels throughout the river system. North Shore Power Group operates three dams downstream of the Matinenda Lake Dam.
The water level at the Matinenda Lake Dam has decreased by 0.22m (22cm) over the last week and we expect the level to continue to decrease (see chart below).
It has definitely been a challenging spring season with the heavy snow load and quick melt. There have been a number of flood watches across northeastern Ontario and we have been dealing locally with flooding that has impacted some communities (e.g., Goulais River), some of our dams, and has also led to the closure and/or washout of local provincial roads and highways.
I appreciate your continued patience as we work to drawdown the water levels towards our target levels.
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