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2022.06.24 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.10 m (1063.3 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 3 cm (1 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.

Upstream of Lake of the Woods, the larger lakes, Namakan and Rainy, have peaked and are falling and tributaries in the Rainy River basin have also been in decline following generally drier weather in June. This has resulted in lake of the Woods inflow generally stabilizing recently. However, rainfall forecasted for the weekend would result in a brief spike in inflow due primarily to rainfall directly on the lake. With this rainfall, the level of Lake of the Woods is expected to rise by a total 5 to 11 cm (2 to 4 in) over the next 7 days, with most of the rise occurring over the weekend. The peak lake level will depend on rainfall in the following days and weeks. Drier weather could see a peak after this week but wet weather would delay this. A return to normal Lake of the Woods summer levels is unlikely before mid-August regardless of precipitation.

As the lake level rises slightly, the outflow from the lake will also gradually rise. This will result in the level of the Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki rising 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 2-4 cm (1-2 in) with less rise further downstream from Kenora. 

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.83 m (1170.7 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 800 m³/s. A reduction in outflow, to between 650 -700 m³/s, is planned for Monday, June 27, the rate dependent on rainfall received over the weekend.

The following forecast for the Winnipeg River in Manitoba was provided by Manitoba Hydro.