The Zosel Dam in Oroville controls the level of Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Water levels on Osoyoos Lake are being gradually lowered over coming weeks in preparation for winter.
The lake level is being lowered under orders put in place by the International Joint Commission, a board made up of representatives of Canada and the United States.
The lower winter level will provide more storage for rain and melting snow and will prevent shoreline damage resulting from freezing and flooding, the Washington Department of Ecology said in a news release last week.
The lake level is controlled by raising gates at the Zosel Dam in Oroville, WA. The Department of Ecology, which operates the dam, expects to have the lake lowered to 909.5 feet above sea level by Dec. 1 and it will remain at that level until spring.
Between May 1 and Sept. 15, dam operators maintain the lake at between 911.5 to 912 feet for normal summer operation.
As of 2 p.m. Monday afternoon, the lake level was at 910.64 feet above sea level.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Osoyoos Times
