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 declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week. The lake level is 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.
With a mix of precipitation forecasts for the next week, the level of Lake of the Woods is expected to fall between 1 and 5 cm (1/2 and 2 in) over the next 7 days.
As the lake level slowly drops, the outflow into the Winnipeg River will gradually drop along with the river level. The level level of the Winnipeg River immediately below the Norman Dam and down to Minaki is expected fall by 1-3 cm (1 in) over the next 7 days.
Upstream, the level of Rainy Lake is expected to return to the normal IJC-regulated range in July. As the lake level declines, outflow from Rainy Lake is also falling, and much larger cuts are expected once the lake returns to normal summer levels. Barring a return to very wet weather, this should result in a much faster rate of decline at Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River towards the end of July.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.72 m (1170.3 ft), 80th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul is expected to fall by 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next 7 days. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to be decreased from 450 m³/s to 400 m³/s on Monday, July 18. With recent cuts in outflow and declining tributary flows across the watershed, the level of the English River is expected to continue to fall but will likely not reach normal summer levels this month.
Manitoba Hydro has provided the following forecast for the Winnipeg River through the Whiteshell.