August 2023

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.8 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 2 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 2 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, September 4 due to the Civic Holiday.

Conditions across the Winnipeg River drainage basin remain dry, with some rainfall forecasted in the next week and more in the northern portion of the basin around Lac Seul. Water levels and flows throughout the basin all remain below normal.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.8 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level dropped by 3 cm (1 in) this past week and is expected to decline by 2 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain relatively stable over the next week, increasing or decreasing by 2 cm (1 in). Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The extremely dry conditions and very low inflows to Lake of the Woods have caused the lake level to fall steadily since the beginning of August. The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.73 m (1058.8 ft) a 15th percentile level for this time of year.

In line with it’s Regulation Strategy, the LWCB is directing an outflow reduction to try to maintain storage on the lake as drought conditions persist. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 150 m³/s tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22.

This outflow reduction will cause the Winnipeg River water level to drop by approximately 8 cm (3 in) below the Norman Dam, 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles, and will cause no change at Minaki. The Winnipeg River below the Norman Dam and at Nutimik Lake, in Manitoba, are both at a 10th percentile level for this time of year.

Drought conditions persist and worsen across the Winnipeg River drainage basin. The North American Drought Monitor (map for July below) has now categorized the whole basin as being in a moderate drought and the upper English River basin in a severe drought. As such, the LWCB continues to try to maintain storage on the lakes and as much flow as possible in the rivers with the possibility of drought conditions extending into the fall.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.75 m (1058.9 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by another 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to change little over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Across the Winnipeg River basin, tributary flows and lake inflows remain low due to the underlying drought conditions. Precipitation in July was closer to normal for some areas of the basin, notably along a band stretching from Fort Frances, through Dryden and up to Red Lake. Much of this rain was soaked up by the dry ground and did not run off as inflow to the rivers and lakes. With large outflow cuts from Rainy Lake this past week and warm temperatures causing lake water to evaporate, inflow to Lake of the Woods has dropped sharply. An outflow reduction, as described below, is therefore necessary to slow the lake level decline and maintain storage heading into the fall.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.78 m (1059.0 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 200 m³/s tomorrow, Friday, August 11.

This outflow reduction will cause the Winnipeg River water level to drop by approximately 9 cm (4 in) below the Norman Dam, 3 cm (1 in) above the Dalles, and will cause no change at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to increase by 2 to 7 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.81 m (1059.1 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 250 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 2 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to increase up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.