The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.11 m (1063.3 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 2 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. 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. The peak lake level may be reached sometime this week or next with drier weather forecasted for the next 7 days. A return to normal Lake of the Woods summer levels is unlikely before mid-August regardless of precipitation.
As the lake level stabilizes, the outflow from the lake will also stop rising. This will result in the level of the Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki, as well as below Norman Dam, to remain constant and change very little over the next week.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.80 m (1170.6 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. Lac Seul authorized outflow was reduced to 650 m³/s on Wednesday, June 29, and a second reduction to 600 m³/s is scheduled for Monday, July 4. The lake level has peaked and is expected to decline over the next week.