Conditions in the Winnipeg River basin remain drier than normal, although some snowfall is expected over the next week. Maps of modelled snow water equivalent (SWE), the amount of water in the snow, indicate that there are approximately 40 to 60 mm (1.5 to 2.5 in) of SWE in the snowpack . This is close to or slightly below normal, with measurements of SWE taken by Ontario Power Generation on January 15^th coming in at 66% to 112% of normal.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.50 m (1058.07 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the last week and with the scheduled outflow increases, is expected to remain stable over the next week.

With inflow to Lake of the Woods very low for this time of year, outflow reductions are scheduled next week to help slow the rate of level decline on the lake. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will be reduced to 275 m³/s, on Monday, January 27^th and to 250 m³/s on Thursday, January 30^th. These outflow reductions will cause levels on the Winnipeg River to decline by:

• 10 cm (4 in) below the Norman Dam
• 4 cm (1.5 in) at the Dalles
• no change at Minaki

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.41 m (1166.02 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 8 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 6.5 cm to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul outflow is 380 m³/s, with no changes scheduled.

An Alberta clipper is expected to impact the basin on January 17^th. Snowfall amounts in the 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) range are expected, with the highest accumulation north of the English River. Following the storm, temperatures are expected to drop. With levels on both lakes declining steadily, no outflow changes are planned this week.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.54 m (1058.18 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2.2 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 1.5 to 2 cm ( 0.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow remains 300 m³/s, with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.49 m (1166.30 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 7 cm (2.5 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm (2.5 to 3 in) over the next week. A mechanical issue at the Ear Falls Dam impacted outflow early in the week. On Wednesday, January 15^th, Lac Seul outflow was restored to the authorized 380 m³/s, and no additional flow changes are scheduled.

Over the last few weeks, the Winnipeg River basin experienced a swing in conditions, with a warm-up accompanied by moderate amounts of precipitation at the end of December, followed by much drier and colder conditions in the first week of January. Forecasts indicate a return to seasonal temperatures and a chance for flurries over the next week. Snow depth measurements across the basin indicate slightly below normal snow accumulation for this time of year.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.56 m (1058.25 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2.5 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 1.5 to 2.5 cm ( 0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow remains at 300 m³/s, with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.56 m (1166.53 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 7.5 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 6 cm to 7.5 cm (2.5 to 3 in) over the next week. Due to the declining lake level providing less head at the Ear Falls dam, Lac Seul outflow has dropped to 368 m³/s. To maintain river flows and consistent lake level decline, an outflow increase to 380 m³/s is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15^th.

The Winnipeg River basin received moderate amounts of precipitation over the past week with up to 15 cm of snow across the North of the basin and up to 10 cm in the South of the basin. There is minimal precipitation in the forecast with less than 5 cm of snow across the basin.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.63 m (1058.49 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined 1 cm (<0.5 ft) over the last week and is expected to decrease 1 to 2 cm ( <0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.78 m (1167.26 ft), a 25^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5 cm (2 in) over the last and is expected to decrease by 6 cm to 7 cm (2.5 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m³/s with a scheduled increase to 385 m³/s Thursday December 19^th.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board and Secretariat wish everyone the best this Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Between Christmas and New Years Day the LWCB website will not be updated. The Noticeboard Update will resume on January 9^th.

The Winnipeg River basin received moderate amounts of precipitation over the past week with up to 25 cm of snow across most of the basin. There is minimal precipitation in the forecast with less than 5 cm of snow across the basin.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.64 m (1058.53 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to decrease 1 to 2 cm ( <0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.83 m (1167.42 ft), a 25^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 2 cm (0.5 in) over the last and is expected to decrease by 2 cm to 3 cm (1 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The last week has seen moderate snowfall amounts across the Winnipeg River Basin with up to 15 cm of snow around Lake of the Woods and up to 20 cm of snow surrounding Lac Seul over the past 7 days.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.64 m (1058.53 ft), a 25^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 4 cm (1.5 in) over the last week and is expected to remain stable or decrease 2 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 300 m³/s. Since Lake of the Woods inflows have dropped with the cold weather and upstream Rainy Lake outflow decreases, no outflow changes are planned.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.85 m (1167.5 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 8 cm (3 in) over the last and is expected to decrease by 4 cm to 6 cm (1.5 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Although the Winnipeg River Basin has received some significant precipitation early last week rainfall amounts have decreased. With temperatures dropping we’ve also seen precipitation start to fall as snow.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.68 m (1058.66 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to decrease 1 to 3 cm (<0.5 to 1 in). Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 300 m³/s. With temperatures dropping and outflow reductions from upstream Rainy Lake, we have seen inflows to Lake of the Woods begin to decrease. As such, no outflow increases are planned for Lake of the Woods.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.93 m (1167.7 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5 cm (2 in) and is expected to decrease by 5 cm to 6 cm (2 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Over the past week the Winnipeg River Basin has received significant amounts of rainfall. This precipitation has helped increase inflows to the major lakes which are back in the normal range for this time of year. With higher inflows, outflows will continue to be increased to draw down the lakes over the winter and meet flow requirements along the Winnipeg River.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.68 m (1058.66 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased 2 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to remain relatively stable increasing or decreasing by 1 cm (<0.5 in) depending on precipitation. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 225 m³/s. Additional outflow increases are planned to drawdown the lake over the winter period and meet flow requirements on the Winnipeg River. Lake of the Woods outflow will increase as follows:

• 250 m³/s Saturday November 23^rd
• 275 m³/s Monday November 25^th
• 300 m³/s Wednesday November 27^th

Each of these outflow increases will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase as follows:

• 5 cm (1.5 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam
• 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles
• The water level at Minaki will not be impacted by these outflow changes.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.98 m (1167.91 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 2 cm (1 in) and is expected to decrease by 4 cm to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with a planned increase to 325 m³/s Thursday November 21^st and a tentative increase to 350 m³/s Wednesday November 27^th.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.65 m (1058.6 ft), a 25^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to remain relatively stable increasing up to 3 cm (1 in) or decreasing 1 cm (<0.5 in). Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s. With Winter approaching, outflow increases are planned to meet minimum flow requirements on the Winnipeg River. Lake of the Woods outflow will increase as follows:

• 175 m³/s Friday November 15^th
• 200 m³/s Tuesday November 19^th
• 225 m³/s Thursday November 21^th

Each of these outflow increases will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase as follows:

• 4 cm (1.5 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam
• 1 cm (<0.5 in) above the Dalles
• The water level at Minaki will not be impacted by these outflow changes.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.01 m (1168.01 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 3 cm (1 in) and is expected to decrease by 1 cm to 4 cm (<0.5 to 1.5 in) over the next week, depending on rainfall. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes currently scheduled.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.65 m (1058.6 ft), a 20^th percentile level just below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to change little over the next week, with some rainfall in the forecast. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no outflow changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.04 m (1168.11 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5 cm (2 in) and is expected to remain stable or decrease by approximately 4 cm (1.5 in) over the next week, depending on rainfall. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes currently scheduled.

Winter Regulation Strategy

On October 30, the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) held its fall Regulation Meeting in Kenora, attended by specific interest groups and resource agencies, and adopted its Regulation Strategy. The strategy outlines regulation targets for various inflow conditions for the period of November 2024 to March 2025. The Secretariat provided a review of current dry conditions and how outflows and levels on the major lakes had declined over the late summer and fall. Climate forecasts indicate La Nina conditions may occur over the winter potentially leading to colder temperatures and more snowfall. At the meeting, these outlooks were reviewed and considered when setting spring lake level targets.

With some uncertainty in the forecasted winter inflow to Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul, the strategy focuses on providing minimum flows along the English and Winnipeg Rives for hydropower production and plant heating, monitoring the drawdown of both lakes and adjusting spring target levels as winter progresses.

For Lake of the Woods, considering preferences heard from various interests, the strategy targets the low end of the spring level target range, to mitigate flood risk. For Lac Seul, the strategy recommends a spring level target that is lower than normal, but similar to last year’s target, to help supply core winter flows on the English and Winnipeg Rivers.

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The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, November 11^th (Remembrance Day, Canada). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, November 12^th.