Water levels become critical up stream

Staff

High waters and a lot of rain have officials concerned at Fort Frances.

Both the paper mills in Fort Frances and International Falls issued a joint press release Monday saying that unless rising water levels in the Rainy Lake and Kabetogama-Namakan reservoirs do not crest soon emergency conditions could be reached.

The Rainy River is flowing full and Lake of the Woods is high. The mills said that unless inflows slow cottage owners could have trouble.

They are urging them to secure docks and boaters are advised to beware of floating debris as they take to the water this fishing season opener on Saturday.