Reregulation on an International River — A Case Study

The St. Croix River, the International Boundary between Mew Brunswick, Canada, and Maine, United States, was subject to water use conflicts in the early 1970's. At that time, the complaints of residents and commercial camp owners interested in water supply, recreation and shorefront properties, intensified. In April 1971, the International Joint Commission approved the International St. Croix River Board of Control's request to study two problem areas - water levels of Spednic Lake and flow fluctuations below the Vanceboro Dam - which were controlled by the Georgia Pacific Corporation, under an order of the Commission. The study was directed towards a better understanding of how and why the reservoirs were operated the way they were, and an attitude survey of local residents and camp owners in order to obtain an appreciation of their concerns. An operating plan for the reservoir system was developed, one which most nearly met the needs of all concerned.