On December 15, 2009, the International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) released the report Impacts on Upper Great Lakes Water Levels: St. Clair River .  This report reflects peer review and public comment on a draft report released on May 1, 2009, as well as additional research and analysis. A nontechnical summary report   is also available as well as a report on the activities of the Public Interest Advisory Group, including a synthesis of comments received on the draft report.  

Since 2007, nearly 100 scientists and engineers, with extensive input from independent peer reviewers and the public, have been working to answer important questions posed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) regarding the St. Clair River system:

• Has the conveyance or water-carrying capacity of the St. Clair River changed, and if so, why?
• What effect could an altered flow have on water levels in the upper Great Lakes?
• What other factors (such as climate) may be affecting the change in water levels?
• What actions, if any, should be taken by governments to remedy concerns about low water levels?

Since the release of the draft report, 17 public meetings were held to solicit comment and provide information about the Study findings.  The draft report, specific scientific chapters and key technical reports were reviewed by independent experts chosen by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Canadian Water Resources Association.  This public and peer review process has resulted in extensive revisions and improvements to the draft report.  All comments and peer reviews, as well as Study Board responses, will be posted prior to the release of the report.

Funded equally by the U.S. and Canadian governments, the Study is being conducted by the bi-national, independent International Upper Great Lakes Study Board at the request of the IJC under the authority of the Boundary Waters Treaty. The report on the St. Clair River is the first output of the Study, which will continue to examine whether the regulation plan for outflows from Lake Superior through the compensating works and power dams on the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie might be improved to take into consideration changing interests and changing climate. The final report of the Study is expected early in 2012.