Lake Information for Rainy Lake

Rainy Lake is a relatively large lake (345 sq mi or 894 km²) that straddles the border between the United States and Canada. The Rainy River issues from the west side of the lake and is used to make hydroelectricity in the US city of International Falls, which is situated at the outflow of the river from the lake along with its sister town on the Canadian side, Fort Frances, making the river the boundary between the two countries. Voyageurs National Park is located on the southeastern corner of the lake where it connects with Kabetogama and Namakan Lakes. Rainy Lake is part of an extremely large system of lakes stretching from the Great Lakes north to the Arctic Ocean. The levels of these lakes are regulated by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC was founded as a result of the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 and is an independent international body. Rainy Lake is important in governing water levels because of the hydroelectric dam situated near the town of International Falls, Minnesota.