February 2025

Over the last week, southern portions of the Winnipeg River basin received some rain and daytime temperatures were above freezing. This caused the snowpack to compact and become wetter. Conditions are however expected to change with an Alberta clipper forecast to cross the basin this evening and into Friday. Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings, predicting rapid snow accumulation in the range of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in). The return of colder temperatures is also forecast for this weekend.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.45 m (1057.9 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1.5 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to change little over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow remains 250 m³/s, with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.94 m (1164.6 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 7.5 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 5.5 cm to 7 cm (2 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s, with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.02 m (1164.7 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 8 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 7 to 9 cm (2.5 to 3.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow was reduced to 300 m³/s today, February 25^th. Outflow is expected to continue gradually declining as the lake level drops.

The extremely cold temperatures impacting the Winnipeg River basin are expected to let up in the next couple of days. Very little snow fell over the last week. A precipitation system coupled with warmer temperatures is forecast to bring snow and rain showers to the southern half of the basin over the weekend. Snowpack conditions remain close to or slightly below normal for this time of year.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.47 m (1058.0 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.4 in) over the last 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 355.07 m (1164.9 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 9 cm (3.5 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 7 to 9 cm (2.5 to 3.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 360 m³/s, and continues to gradually decline with the falling lake level. No outflow changes are scheduled.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.48 m (1058 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level changed little over the last week and is expected to decline less than 1 cm (0.5 in) 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 355.16 m (1165.22 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 8 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow has been adjusted to 360 m³/s, it will gradually decline with the falling lake level. No outflow changes are scheduled.

Note: The LWCB updated its reference percentile set on February 4^th, 2025. This does not impact observed lake levels, but may impact their percentile rank.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.49 m (1058.01 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level changed little over the last 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 355.24 m (1165.47 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 8 cm (3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 8 to 9 cm (3 to 3.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow has been adjusted to 360 m³/s as it gradually declines with the falling lake level. No outflow changes are scheduled.

Note: The LWCB updated its reference percentile set on February 4^th, 2025. This does not impact observed lake levels, but may impact their percentile rank.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board updates its percentile set once every 5 years. As of today, all data products will reference new percentiles computed for the period of 1991 to 2020. Maximum and minimum records have also been updated to extend to 2023 and will now be updated annually.

Percentile sets for all stations, and more information on percentiles, are available on our Percentile Data Page.