The northern portions of the Winnipeg River basin are receiving moderate precipitation this week which will help maintain levels and flows. In the southern half of the basin, precipitation has been low and forecasts for next week are very dry. Inflow to Lake of the Woods is therefore declining rapidly and the lake level has also started to drop. To maintain a gradual decline in lake level, outflow reductions at Lake of the Woods are required, as long as conditions remain dry.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.20 m (1060.4 ft), an 80th percentile level, above the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 8 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 6 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in), over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to:
- 975 m3/s on Thursday, August 8th
- 925 m3/s on Monday, August 12th
- 875 m3/s on Thursday, August 15th
If conditions remain dry, similar outflow reductions will be required the following week to slow the rate of lake level decline. The scheduled outflow reductions will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to decline as follows:
- Directly downstream of the Norman Dam: 15 cm (6 in) with each outflow reduction, 52 cm (20 in) total drop by August 16th
- Above the Dalles: 11 cm (4 in) with each outflow reduction, 38 cm (15 in) total drop by August 16th
- Minaki: 10 cm (4 in) with each outflow reduction, 33 cm (13 in) total drop by August 16th
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.36 m (1169.2 ft), a 30th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 2 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decrease by 2 to 4 cm (0.5 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m3/s with no changes scheduled.