November 2024

Although the Winnipeg River Basin has received some significant precipitation early last week rainfall amounts have decreased. With temperatures dropping we’ve also seen precipitation start to fall as snow.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.68 m (1058.66 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to decrease 1 to 3 cm (<0.5 to 1 in). Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 300 m³/s. With temperatures dropping and outflow reductions from upstream Rainy Lake, we have seen inflows to Lake of the Woods begin to decrease. As such, no outflow increases are planned for Lake of the Woods.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.93 m (1167.7 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5 cm (2 in) and is expected to decrease by 5 cm to 6 cm (2 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Over the past week the Winnipeg River Basin has received significant amounts of rainfall. This precipitation has helped increase inflows to the major lakes which are back in the normal range for this time of year. With higher inflows, outflows will continue to be increased to draw down the lakes over the winter and meet flow requirements along the Winnipeg River.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.68 m (1058.66 ft), a 30^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased 2 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to remain relatively stable increasing or decreasing by 1 cm (<0.5 in) depending on precipitation. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 225 m³/s. Additional outflow increases are planned to drawdown the lake over the winter period and meet flow requirements on the Winnipeg River. Lake of the Woods outflow will increase as follows:

• 250 m³/s Saturday November 23^rd
• 275 m³/s Monday November 25^th
• 300 m³/s Wednesday November 27^th

Each of these outflow increases will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase as follows:

• 5 cm (1.5 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam
• 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles
• The water level at Minaki will not be impacted by these outflow changes.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.98 m (1167.91 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 2 cm (1 in) and is expected to decrease by 4 cm to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with a planned increase to 325 m³/s Thursday November 21^st and a tentative increase to 350 m³/s Wednesday November 27^th.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.65 m (1058.6 ft), a 25^th percentile level within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to remain relatively stable increasing up to 3 cm (1 in) or decreasing 1 cm (<0.5 in). Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s. With Winter approaching, outflow increases are planned to meet minimum flow requirements on the Winnipeg River. Lake of the Woods outflow will increase as follows:

• 175 m³/s Friday November 15^th
• 200 m³/s Tuesday November 19^th
• 225 m³/s Thursday November 21^th

Each of these outflow increases will cause levels along the Winnipeg River to increase as follows:

• 4 cm (1.5 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam
• 1 cm (<0.5 in) above the Dalles
• The water level at Minaki will not be impacted by these outflow changes.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.01 m (1168.01 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 3 cm (1 in) and is expected to decrease by 1 cm to 4 cm (<0.5 to 1.5 in) over the next week, depending on rainfall. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes currently scheduled.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.65 m (1058.6 ft), a 20^th percentile level just below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to change little over the next week, with some rainfall in the forecast. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no outflow changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.04 m (1168.11 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5 cm (2 in) and is expected to remain stable or decrease by approximately 4 cm (1.5 in) over the next week, depending on rainfall. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes currently scheduled.

Winter Regulation Strategy

On October 30, the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) held its fall Regulation Meeting in Kenora, attended by specific interest groups and resource agencies, and adopted its Regulation Strategy. The strategy outlines regulation targets for various inflow conditions for the period of November 2024 to March 2025. The Secretariat provided a review of current dry conditions and how outflows and levels on the major lakes had declined over the late summer and fall. Climate forecasts indicate La Nina conditions may occur over the winter potentially leading to colder temperatures and more snowfall. At the meeting, these outlooks were reviewed and considered when setting spring lake level targets.

With some uncertainty in the forecasted winter inflow to Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul, the strategy focuses on providing minimum flows along the English and Winnipeg Rives for hydropower production and plant heating, monitoring the drawdown of both lakes and adjusting spring target levels as winter progresses.

For Lake of the Woods, considering preferences heard from various interests, the strategy targets the low end of the spring level target range, to mitigate flood risk. For Lac Seul, the strategy recommends a spring level target that is lower than normal, but similar to last year’s target, to help supply core winter flows on the English and Winnipeg Rivers.

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The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, November 11^th (Remembrance Day, Canada). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, November 12^th.