May 2023

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.01 m (1059.7 ft), a 65^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 5 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 800 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.43 m (1166.1 ft), a 45^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 14 cm (5.5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 11 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

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Come learn about the Winnipeg River drainage basin at the Lake of the Woods Control Board Public Open House on June 14, 2023 in Kenora.

Come learn about the Winnipeg River drainage basin at the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) Public Open House on June 14, 2023 in Kenora.

Board members and Lake of the Woods Secretariat staff will be available to discuss water level and flow conditions, and answer questions.

When: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Where: Travelodge, Kenora (800 Highway 17 East)

Want to contact staff at the Lake of the Woods Secretariat?

Call 1-800-661-5922 or email secretariat@lwcb.ca

Although conditions are expected to be dry over the Victoria Day long weekend, forecasts are indicating above-normal precipitation from May 23 onwards. Both, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s probabilistic forecast, and the National Weather Services’ 6-10 day outlook, are predicting above-normal precipitation starting mid to late next week. Tributary flows, lake inflows and lake levels are already high across the southern half of the basin and this precipitation will amplify those conditions.

At Lake of the Woods and on the Winnipeg River, additional outflow increases will be required to slow the rate of rise on the lake. At these flow rates, the level along the Winnipeg River is expected to continue to rise and levels at Minaki will also rise more with each outflow increase.

In the northern half of the basin, flows and levels are currently in the low-normal range. Depending on the amount of precipitation impacting the Lac Seul and English River basins, outflow changes may or may not be required to maintain normal levels and flow rates.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.96 m (1059.6 ft), a 65^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 10 cm (4 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 7 to 9 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 800 m³/s with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.29 m (1165.6 ft), a 50^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 16 cm (6 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 11 to 17 cm (4 to 7 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

High local inflow conditions in the headwaters of the Rainy-Namakan basin are resulting in additional increases to Rainy Lake outflow. Inflows to Lake of the Woods therefore remain high and the lake level continues to rise. While balancing rising flows on the Winnipeg River, another small increase to Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to slow the rate of rise on the lake.

Lake of the Woods outflow will increase to 800 m³/s tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17. This flow change will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase by 10 cm (4 in) below the Norman Dam, 6 cm (2 in) above the Dalles and 7 cm (3 in) at Minaki.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.86 m (1059.2 ft), a 65^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 9 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 750 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.13 m (1165.1 ft), a 55^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 16 cm (6 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 16 to 18 cm (6 to 7 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Recent rainfall has impacted the Lake of the Woods local basin and the upstream Rainy-Namakan basin. Inflows to Lake of the Woods are expected to rise. The level also continues to rise above the preferred lake levels for this time of year. With the risk of more rain in the forecast and to slow the rate of level rise, additional outflow increases are planned this week.

Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will increase to 725 m³/s today, May 8 and to 750 m³/s tomorrow, May 9.

This flow change will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase by a total of:

• 15 cm (6 in) directly below the Norman Dam
• 10 cm (4 in) above the Dalles
• 7 cm (3 in) at Minaki

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.76 (1058.9 ft), a 65^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 8 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will increase to 700 m³/s tomorrow, Friday, May 5. Additional outflow increases are likely next week as outflows from Rainy Lake continue to increase and the forecast indicates a chance of rain on most days.

Tomorrow’s outflow change will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase by 7 cm (3 in) directly below the Norman Dam and by 5 cm (2 in) above the Dalles. Although this outflow change will not affect the level at Minaki, levels there can be expected to start increasing with any subsequent outflow increase.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.97 m (1164.6 ft), a 55^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 8 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.