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May 2024

2024.05.31 Conditions Update and Lake of the Woods Outflow Increases

Although the basin received less precipitation over the last week, inflow to Lake of the Woods remains high, between 1,400 and 1,600 m3/s, at 85th percentile for this time of year. As a result, the lake level has increased sharply, coming up 17 cm (7 in) over the last week. The current lake level of 322.95 m (1059.55 ft) is 5 cm ( 2 in) below the normal summer level of 323.0 m (1059.7 ft) and 117 cm (46 in) below the peak level in 2022 of 324.12 m (1063.39 ft).

The basins upstream of Lake of the Woods are slow to drain and outflow from Rainy Lake has been increased over the last few days. There is a significant rainfall event forecasted for June 3rd which could deliver up to 40 mm (1.5 in) of rainfall across a large portion of the Winnipeg River basin and directly over parts of Lake of the Woods. This rainfall, in addition to the high outflows from Rainy Lake, will sustain high inflows to Lake of the Woods over the next week. To manage lake level rise and avoid having the lake fill up too quickly, additional outflow increases are required as outlined below.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.95 m (1059.55 ft), a 55th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 17 cm (7 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 10 to 18 cm (4 to 7 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts and upstream flow changes. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will increase to:

  • 650 m3/s today, Friday May 31st
  • 750 m3/s on Monday June 3rd
  • 800 m3/s on Wednesday June 5th.

These flow changes will cause significant level increases downstream on the Winnipeg River. By Thursday June 6th, water levels will have increased by approximately 58 cm (23 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and by 38 cm (15 in) above the Dalles. Because Lake of the Woods outflow will surpass 700 m3/s, the water level at Minaki will start to rise and will increase by 18 cm (7 in) over the next week.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.58 m (1166.6 ft), a 45th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 28 cm (11 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 14 to 20 cm (5.5 to 8 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m3/s with no additional outflow increases currently planned.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@lwcb.ca or by calling 1-800-661-5922. This Noticeboard will be updated regularly as conditions develop.

For more information on Namakan and Rainy Lakes, visit the Water Level Notices page of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board.

2024.05.29 Conditions Update and Levels Forecast

Over the weekend, moderate precipitation amounts that have kept inflows rising across the basin. Most areas saw at least 15 mm since Friday with some areas seeing closer to 30 mm. As the level of Lake of the Woods continues to increase, additional outflow increases are planned to manage the rate of climb.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.91 m (1059.41 ft), a 55th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 18 cm (7 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 9 to 16 cm (3.5 to 6 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts and upstream flow changes. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 550 m3/s and will increase to 600 m3/s today Wednesday May 29th and to 650 m3/s Friday May 31st. There is a tentative outflow increase planned to 700 m3/s Monday June 3rd.

Each of these flow changes will cause a levels along the Winnipeg River to increase by approximately 14 cm, (5.5 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and by 8.5 cm (3 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by these flow changes, but could increase due to local inflow.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.51 m (1166.4 ft), a 45th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 29 cm (11 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 20 to 27 cm (8 to 10.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 240 m3/s with a planned increase to 300 m3/s today, Wednesday May 27th.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@lwcb.ca or by calling 1-800-661-5922. This Noticeboard will be updated regularly as conditions develop.

For more information on Namakan and Rainy Lakes, visit the Water Level Notices page of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board.

2024.05.23 Conditions Update and Levels Forecast

Although the basin received high rainfall over the last few days, so far inflows have been manageable and lake level are rising within their normal ranges.  Most of the basin received 50 to 60 mm on Tuesday evening and Wednesday.  This resulted in very rapidly increasing flows in the tributaries and a sudden jump in lake levels (8 cm at Lac Seul and 5 cm at Lake of the Woods).  Forecasts are predicting a chance for some moderate rainfall this Friday and Saturday, followed by much drier conditions next week.  This means high tributary flows and lake inflows will be temporary.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.74 m (1058.86 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 7 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts and upstream flow changes. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 400 m3/s with planned outflow increases to 480 m3/s tomorrow May 24th and 550 m3/s Monday May 27th. More outflow increases may be required depending on the amount of the rainfall over the next week.  

These flow changes will cause a large and rapid increase in levels along the Winnipeg River. By Tuesday, water levels will have increased by approximately 35 cm, (14 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and by 20 cm (8 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by these flow changes, but could increase due to local inflow.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.25 m (1165.5 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 14 cm (5.5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 17 to 22 cm (6.5 to 8.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 200 m3/s with a planned increase to 240 m3/s Friday May 24th.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@lwcb.ca or by calling 1-800-661-5922. This Noticeboard will be updated regularly as conditions develop.

For more information on Namakan and Rainy Lakes, visit the Water Level Notices page of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board.

2024.05.21 High Rainfall Event

Conditions in the Winnipeg River basin are beginning to change quickly. The basin has received larger amounts of precipitation over the past week and over the weekend. Most of the basin received a 7-day total of 25 mm with some areas totaling up to 40 mm.

A low pressure system is forecast to impact the Winnipeg River basin starting this evening, bringing heavy rainfall over the next couple of days. Environment Canada has issued a Rainfall Warning covering the entire basin. This system could bring up to 80 mm (3 in) of rainfall tonight through tomorrow. Forecasts indicate weekly totals could exceed 150 mm (6 in).

This large amount of rainfall will cause flows in tributaries and inflows to the major lakes to rise quickly. Although outflow increases are being made in advance of the upcoming precipitation at Namakan Lake, Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, outflows are lower than the expected inflows. Therefore, lake levels will rise and additional, larger outflow increases will be required at Lake of the Woods and may be required at Lac Seul. These outflow increase will be made in consideration of downstream impacts, but levels along the English and Winnipeg Rivers are expected to rise considerably over the next week. 

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.79 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 6 cm (2.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m3/s with planned outflow increases to 225 m3/s today May 21st, 300 m3/s Wednesday May 22nd, and 400 m3/s Thursday May 23rd. More outflow increases may be required depending on the severity of the rainfall over the next couple of days.  

Flow changes this week will cause a large and rapid increase in levels along the Winnipeg River. By Friday, water levels will have increased by approximately 40 cm, (16 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and by 16 cm (6 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by these flow changes, but could increase due to local inflow.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.2 m (1165.4 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 13 cm (5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 30 to 46 cm (12 to 18 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m3/s with a planned increase to 200 m3/s Wednesday May 22nd.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@lwcb.ca or by calling 1-800-661-5922. This Noticeboard will be updated regularly as conditions develop.

For more information on Namakan and Rainy Lakes, visit the Water Level Notices page of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board.

2024.05.16 Conditions Update and Levels Forecast

Spring conditions in the Winnipeg River basin have so far been favourable, with an early freshet followed by moderate amounts of rainfall. Water levels on both Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul have been rising steadily within the normal range. Some Regulation Strategy targets that have been, or are on track to be achieved include the May 15th preferred water level of 355.1 m on Lac Seul for fisheries, and the end-of-May water level target of 322.7 m (1058.7 ft) for Lake of the Woods under moderate inflow conditions. Flows on the English and Winnipeg Rivers are also slowly rising with steady precipitation and small outflow increases from Lake of the Woods.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.67 m (1058.61 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 5 cm (2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m3/s with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.10 m (1165.0 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range 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 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.


The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, May 20th (Victoria Day in Canada). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, May 21st.

2024.05.09 Levels Forecast and Lake of the Woods Outflow Increases

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.62 m (1058.45 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 10 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 1 to 4 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow was increased to 175 m3/s today, May 9th, and is scheduled to increase to 200 m3/s on Monday, May 13th.

Each of these flow changes will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to increase by approximately 4 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and by 1 cm (0.5 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by these flow changes.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.00 m (1164.70 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 14 cm (5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.

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The Lake of the Woods Control Board is planning a website redevelopment and would like your feedback. Please take some time to complete our Website Survey. Your input is important to help us design a website that serves your needs. Thank you!

If you have any questions about the survey or need assistance, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@lwcb.ca or by calling 1-800-661-5922.

2024.05.03 Conditions Update and Levels Forecast

With the precipitation observed early in the week, tributaries in the southern part of the basin have started rising. Inflows to the major lakes are also increasing as a result. There is some rain forecast across the basin over the next few days before the forecast becomes dryer and inflows could potentially decrease.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.54 m (1058.20 ft), a 35th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 5 cm (2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 in) over the next week, depending on precipitation amounts. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.88 m (1164.30 ft), a 35th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. Lake inflows and levels continue to increase. The lake level increased by 13 cm (5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 7 to 11 cm (2.8 to 4.3 in). Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m3/s with no changes currently scheduled.