2026 Kootenay Lake Spring Conditions

This now means the applicant, FortisBC, will be allowed to store water in Kootenay Lake up to the maximum allowable water level. Based on the formula defined in the Order, the maximum allowable water level is when the lake returns to an elevation of 1,743.32 feet as measured at Nelson, British Columbia. The lake is expected to reach maximum elevation of 1,743.32 feet sometime in the summer after the flow is no longer affected by snowmelt runoff.

Once Kootenay Lake reaches maximum elevation, this will mark the end of the freshet period for the Kootenay Lake basin. Information on the IJC 1938 Order of Approval for Kootenay Lake can be found here; the lowering formula is referenced on page 4 in item 2, part 6.

The spring rise declaration comes 12-14 days later than the 2024 and 2025 declarations, but the same date as the 2023 declaration. Temperatures at higher elevations have been variable to date, with periods of snow accumulation still observed. However, increasing temperatures are expected again in the medium-term and long-term forecast. The local snowpack at low and medium elevations is either completely melted or close to it. Snowpack at high elevations is near record highs but appears to have peaked and is showing signs of melting. An increase of Kootenay Lake tributary flows and overall inflows to Kootenay Lake has been observed.

Prior to the declaration, the level of Kootenay Lake at Queens Bay, British Columbia, was 1744.69 feet (531.78 meters) on April 29, 0:00 PT. Kootenay Lake inflow was 42,900 cubic feet per second (1,215 cubic meters per second) and is forecast to continue increasing for the next month. For reference, Kootenay Lake at Queens Bay reached its minimum daily average elevation of 1,740.32 feet (530.45 meters) for the year on March 17, 2026. From March 20 to April 30, lake level at Queens Bay remained above the allowable rule curve of 1,739.32 feet (530.14 meters); however, lake outflow during this time were constrained by Grohman Narrows (not Corra Linn Dam), so FortisBC remains in compliance with the IJC Order (Figure 1).

Please monitor the board website for further hydrologic updates or sign up for notifications.

A follow-up news release detailing observed freshet conditions will be posted in coming months once the freshet peak has been recorded. Real-time Kootenay Lake levels can be found at the FortisBC website.