July 2026

As Lake of the Woods continues to decline, a further small reduction in outflow is scheduled to help maintain a balance between conditions on the lake and the Winnipeg River. Recent rainfall over Lac Seul has helped sustain inflows, and with lake levels gradually rising, no additional outflow reductions are required at this time.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.85 m (1059.2 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 200 m³/s on Friday, July 31.

This outflow reduction will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 4.5 cm (1.7 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 1.5 cm (0.5 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.21 m (1168.7 ft), a 30^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 7 cm (2.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week.  Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

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The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, August 3 (Civic Holiday in Canada). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, August 4.

Dry conditions are expected to persist across the Winnipeg River basin. Recent pockets of local precipitation have had little to no impact on the inflow to the major lakes. The Board continues to follow the guidelines in its Regulation Strategy to 1) store water in Lac Seul in case of ongoing dry conditions in the fall, and 2) achieve a balance between interests on Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River as water supply remains well below normal.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.87 m (1059.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2.5 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 225 m³/s on Friday, July 24.

These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 5 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.14 m (1168.3 ft), a 25^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 4.5 cm (1.8 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 4 to 7 cm (1.5 to 2.5 in) over the next week.  Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 150 m³/s on Friday, July 24.

Weather stations across the Winnipeg River basin recorded no rainfall over the past week. As a result, further outflow reductions are necessary to balance conditions on the lakes and rivers. While some rainfall is forecast for tomorrow, dry conditions are expected to persist over the coming week.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.89 m (1059.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 4 cm (1.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 1.5 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 250 m³/s on Friday, July 17.

These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 5 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.10 m (1168.3 ft), a 25^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 1.5 cm (0.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 7 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week.  Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 175 m³/s on Friday, July 17.

Conditions remain hot and dry across the Winnipeg River basin. While Kenora continues to recover from the severe storm and tornado that struck the city and surrounding area on July 6, most of the basin received very little precipitation over the past week. Forecasts indicate that extremely warm temperatures are expected as of this weekend, with even less rainfall anticipated through next week.

Water supplies to the major lakes continue to decline. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Surface Water Monitoring Centre reported that June precipitation was well below normal across the southern and eastern portions of the basin. With dry conditions persisting into July, the Board is directing continued gradual outflow reductions from both Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul. These reductions will help maintain lake storage to provide adequate river flows should dry conditions continue through the summer and into the fall.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.93 m (1059.5 ft), a 25^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 1 cm (0.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 275 m³/s on Friday, July 10.

These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 5 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 30^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 3 cm (1.2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 2.5 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 in) over the next week.  Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 225 m³/s on Friday, July 10.

Precipitation over the last week mostly missed the Winnipeg River basin, once again hitting areas further west in Manitoba. Inflows to Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul therefore continue to decline. To balance conditions on the lakes and rivers, additional outflow reductions are scheduled starting tomorrow.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.94 m (1059.5 ft), a 40^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2 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 325 m³/s on Friday, July 3^rd and to 300 m³/s on Saturday, July 4^th.

These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 10 cm (4 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 4 cm (2 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.06 m (1168.2 ft), a 40^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 4 cm (2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.7 in) over the next week.  Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 275 m³/s on Friday, July 3^rd.