The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.08 m (1063.2 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 5.5 cm (2 in) over the past week. The lake level has risen above the 2014 peak of 323.78 m (1062.29 ft) and is below the record peak since regulation began of 324.31 m (1064.0 ft), set in July of 1950. The dams in Kenora remain fully open and no additional actions can be taken to limit lake level rise.
The level of Lake of the Woods is expected to rise slightly over the next 7 days with an increase of 2 to 8 cm (0.5 to 3 in). There is some uncertainty in the forecast related to a cold front passing through the basin on June 21st. Where this line of thunderstorms tracks and how severe local precipitation could be will directly effect the amount of rise seen on the lake level this week. This forecasted precipitation could temporarily delay reaching a peak and a return to normal summer levels will likely take many weeks. A return to more sustained wet weather could result in a second, higher peak.
As the lake level rises slightly, the outflow from the lake will also very gradually rise. This will result in the level of the Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki to rise slightly, with any local precipitation adding temporarily to levels in this stretch of the river. The Winnipeg River level rise over the next 7 days below Norman Dam is expected to be 5-7 cm (2-3 in) with less rise further downstream from Kenora, of up to 2.5 cm (1 in) at Minaki.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.85 m (1170.7 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. Lac Seul inflow continues to decline steadily. The resulting rise in lake level was 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and the lake may be near a peak. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 800 m³/s with no changes currently scheduled.