![scannedCLIClogo[8051].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee76d9_7a29a70f0838410b9efc85edb5fa8041~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_88,h_85,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/scannedCLIClogo%5B8051%5D.jpg)
Forest City Dam: Current Standard Operating Parameters
The Primary Players:
The International Joint Commission (IJC), established by The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, is a bi-national agency with the mission of preventing and resolving disputes between the United States and Canada over boundary water - which includes the St. Croix Water system.
The St. Croix International Waterways Commission (SCIWC) - The SCIWC is an international partnership dedicated to managing and protecting the St. Croix River system, which forms part of the border between Maine and New Brunswick. It was established to preserve the waterway's natural, cultural, and recreational heritage while fostering sustainable development. The Commission works with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and private landowners, to achieve its goals.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), USA - The FERC regulates the Forest City Dam, owned by Woodland Pulp LLC, because it has the potential to generate even small amounts of electricity, thus falling under FERC's jurisdiction. For a full summary of the Forest City Dam issue, please CLIC here.
Woodland Pulp LLC - current owners and operators of the Forest City Dam.
Current Standout Regulations that Govern Water Levels
Between May 15th and September 10 Every Year:
-
To protect Atlantic Salmon from stranding, flows must not be reduced by more than 667 Cubic Feet/Second during any 4 hour period
-
Daily - Maintain a minimum impoundment elevation of 427.94ft msl (Mean Sea Level) and a normal maximum elevation of 434.24 ft msl except when storing water to reduce downstream flooding. (This equates to 130.43 - 132.35 in meters.)
-
Between May 15th and July 16th, water levels are kept within well-defined upper and lower limits to support nesting Loons. This is called the Loon Nesting Window and that window is determined using the water level as measured on May 15 (so the water level to maintain changes from year to year). The formula for determining this window requires that within this time frame, the water must stay within a specific range from that year's initial May 15th water level reading. Water levels can vary no higher than 6" above the May 15th level and no lower than 12" below the May 15th level.
-
Between June 1st and September 10th - maintain impoundment elevation at or above 431.94 ft (131.65 m) msl to facilitate Recreation access
-
Minimum Allowable Flow at the Dam is 75 Cubic Feet/Second (CFS)
Forest City Dam Info re: Current Year Water Levels (2025)
In response to member concerns regarding the lake level as of July 11, 2025, CLIC has received the following information from Woodland Pulp LLC:
1) between May 15th and July 16th, water levels are kept within well-defined upper and lower limits to support nesting Loons. This is called the Loon Nesting Window and that window is determined using each years water level as measured on May 15 (so it changes each year). Between May 15th and July 16th, the water must stay within 6" above the May 15th level and 12" below the May 15th level.
Right now, our water level at Forest City has a foot left in the Loon Nesting Window. This is 2 inches lower than it was last year, however, the dam operator has advised that he will tweak the outflow a bit if necessary when they evaluate the levels.
2) With regard to lake levels last year, the Dam Operator has indicated that all the lake levels in August 2024 were lower than the average for the time of year, as they were impacted by a more severe drought.
3) Looking ahead in the short term, the flows at the Forest City Dam will be cut back.... a bit today Friday, July 11, 2025 and potentially more on Monday, July 14, 2025. The Dam Operator has indicated that the flows will also be cut at Vanceboro next week which will have a stabilizing effect on overall lake levels.
4) Lake levels will continue to trend down if we don't get enough rain.
​
Lake Water Level Summary
• At present we are below the average water level for July 15th.
• The minimum lake level that Woodland Pulp is required to stay above per the FERC license is 131.65m, or about 10.5 inches below where we are now (mid-July). This requirement is in effect from June 1 until Sept 10.
• The lake was already full in April so any rain that came after that was not stored.
• We are through the loon nesting window and will be maintaining levels to comply with the rule above. To that end, Woodland Pulp will be cutting stream flows today (July 15, 2025) which will put us near the minimum allowable flow.
• Further adjustments will be made as those changes occur over the next day or so.
• The plan now is to simply maintain low outflows.
• The outflow can't be cut too much at once or we risk stranding fish in the stream.
Woodland Pulp is appreciative of the feedback regarding water levels and they have been great at responding to our inquiries and concerns.
​
CLIC has requested that we be included in go-forward discussions with both the St. Croix International Waterway Commission and Woodland Pulp regarding water levels or any other issue that affects our lake."
Water Quality and Testing
The Water Quality Committee slowly continues to expand its lake monitoring program. Currently, we are involved in two different monitoring programs. We are still monitoring water clarity by utilizing the Secchi Disc method. This involves slowly dropping a weighted black and white disc into the water and measuring how deep it can be visualized in its descent by using a viewing scope. The distance is recorded, and results are sent to Lake Stewards of Maine. Our results have consistently been in the “very good” range.
Our newest program is in the beginning phase of the invasive plant identification program sponsored by Lake Stewards of Maine. We had 3 volunteers attend an online 3-hour lecture that is the introduction to identification of invasive and normal aquatic plants seen in Maine and New Brunswick. It quickly became evident that to become proficient in this program, it is going to take a lot of studying/practice and further instruction. Hopefully, we will eventually gain the experience and expertise to help our lakes stay clean and healthy. For more information on specific invasive aquatic plant threats to our lake system, please CLIC here.
CLIC remains dedicated to ongoing lake quality monitoring and the identification of invasive species. The Water Committee is always looking for volunteers - Don’t worry, experience in water testing is not necessary! Training will be arranged and provided!
​
Any interested and/or experienced individual or group that wishes to volunteer in this important undertaking is encouraged to contact CLIC at CLICBoard@gmail.com