Some parts of the basin received significant rainfall on July 19th, with widespread totals of 50 mm and as much as 100 mm falling over part of the Winnipeg River directly downstream of Kenora. These high local rainfalls will cause tributary flows and river levels to increase. These increases should be temporary with a return to drier conditions forecasted for the next week.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.09 m (1063.3 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 1.5 cm due to the heavy rainfall on July 19. 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. Over the next week, the lake level is expected to declined by up to 2.5 cm (1 in) with drier conditions in the forecast.
The significant rainfall of July 19 caused the level of the Winnpeg River to increase by 4 cm (1.5 in) directly below the Norman Dam, by 5.5 cm (2 in) at Minaki and by 13 cm (5 in) at Boundary Falls near the Manitoba border. These level increases were caused by local inflows. With no changes to Lake of the Woods outflow, these increased river levels are expected to be temporary.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.71 m (1170.3 ft), 80th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul increased by 1 cm due to the heavy rainfall on July 19. With some rain forecasted for this part of the basin tomorrow, the lake level is expected to decrease by 4 cm (1.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 400 m³/s with no changes scheduled. Levels along the English River will be temporarily affected by the heavy rainfall of July 19th as local inflows did increase.