A low pressure system will impact the northern areas of the Winnipeg River basin this evening and into tomorrow. Freezing rain and snowfall are expected along the English River, around Lac Seul and up to Lake St. Joseph. With tributary flows showing minimal response to rainfall earlier this week, Lac Seul outflow is being reduced once more to ensure rising levels.

In the southern areas of the basin freshet is progressing. Inflow to Lake of the Woods increased over the last week and lake levels have started rising. Visit the USGS HIVIS (Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System) for the Big Fork River at Big Falls, Minnesota to see how conditions have evolved over the last month in a time laps video at the gauge. For updates and images of ice conditions on Lake of the Woods, the Lake of the Woods Ice Patrol has started posting regular updates.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.49 m (1058.0 ft), a 35^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 5 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.60 m (1163.4 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2.4 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will be reduced to 150 m³/s on Thursday, April 16^th.

The basin received above-normal precipitation over the past week, including significant snowfall across the northern and eastern areas. The English River basin, in particular, has experienced above-normal snowfall since early March. Forecasts indicate a transition to warmer temperatures and rainfall in the southern portions of the basin early next week. These conditions are expected to increase inflows to Lake of the Woods and mark the start of the refill period. Conditions at Lac Seul continue to be closely monitored, as winter conditions persist in that area.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.44 m (1057.9 ft), a 35^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 1.5 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 3 to 7 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.61 m (1163.4 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decrease by 2 cm (0.75 in) over the last week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by up to 2 cm (0.75 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 175 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

Snow is forecast for the southern portions of the basin over the weekend, followed by colder temperatures early next week. As a result, inflow to the major lakes remains stable. Minor outflow adjustments are being made to maintain stable lake levels until the spring refill period begins.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.42 m (1057.8 ft), a 40^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to remain stable or increase by up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.63 m (1163.5 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 4.2 cm (1.7 in) over the last week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by up to 2.5 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow was reduced to 175 m³/s on Thursday, April 2^nd.

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The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Friday, April 3^rd (Good Friday, holiday in Canada) or on Monday, April 6^th (Easter Monday). Daily data updates will resume on Tuesday, April 7^th.

Stable conditions are expected over the weekend and into next week, with a chance for scattered flurries across the basin.

The current level of the Lake of the Woods is 322.42 m (1057.8 ft), a 40^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to increase by up to 2 cm (0.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.67 m (1163.6 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 3.5 cm (1.4 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 215 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

A precipitation system will cross the Winnipeg River basin tomorrow and Saturday, bringing additional snowfall to the northern portions around Lac Seul and Lake St. Joseph, and mixed precipitation further south around Lake of the Woods.

The current level of the Lake of the Woods is 322.41 m (1057.8 ft), a 30^th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to increase by up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.71 m (1163.7 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 7 cm (2.8 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 215 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

After a brief warm up and some mixed precipitation over the southern portions of the basin last week, temperatures have dropped and conditions are expected to be cold with minimal precipitation over the next week.

The current level of the Lake of the Woods is 322.42 m (1057.8 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased 1 cm (0.4 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by 1.6 cm (0.6 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.78 m (1163.95 ft), a 20^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 7 cm (2.8 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will be reduced to 215 m³/s, on Monday, March 16^th to continue slowing the rate of level decline.

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Spring Regulation Strategy

On March 5, the LWCB held its spring Regulation Meeting in Kenora where it adopted a new Regulation Strategy. The strategy outlines regulation targets for various inflow conditions for the period of March to June 2026, and was developed considering basin conditions, hydrological and meteorological forecasts and the input from representatives of First Nations, Specific Interest Groups, and Resource Advisors concerned with basin management.

Key conditions that were reviewed and discussed at the meeting were:

• Distribution of snowpack and its water content: Snow depths and water content are above normal in the eastern headwaters of the Rainy-Namakan basin and in the upper English River basin. Snowpack is below normal and has decreased over the last week along the Rainy River and south-west of Lake of the Woods.
• Potential for continued winter conditions: Forecasts indicated cold temperatures will persist over the next week and extended winter conditions are possible for the remainder of March. This can increase the risk of rain-on-snow events or early spring rainfall while the ground is still frozen.

Lac Seul

The level of Lac Seul is declining gradually toward the April 15^th target. Based on snowpack conditions, spring inflows are expected to be sufficient to support refill under normal rainfall conditions.  The Secretariat recommends regulation that enables refill of the lake, while balancing the risk of future high water and considering the effects of outflow changes during the spawning season. 

Lake of the Woods

The level of Lake of the Woods is declining gradually toward the March 31^st target. Current conditions indicate that local snowpack runoff to Lake of the Woods may be slightly below normal, with the potential for low or below‑normal inflows from Rainy Lake if normal or below‑normal precipitation occurs. The Secretariat recommends that regulation hedge against the risk for lower-than-normal spring inflow, while balancing the potential for above normal spring rainfall. 

Conditions in the Winnipeg River basin have remained stable over the past week, and this trend is expected to continue based on current forecasts. No major precipitation events are expected in the near future. Forecasted temperatures indicate that daytime highs will rise above freezing in early March.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.44 m (1057.84 ft), a 15^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 decrease by 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods inflow is expected to return to below the 10^th percentile by next week.  To continue slowing the rate of level decline, Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will be reduced to 200 m³/s on Friday, February 27^th. This outflow reduction will cause levels on the Winnipeg River to decline by:

• 5 cm (2 in) below the Norman Dam
• 1.5 cm (0.6 in) at the Dalles
• no change at Minaki

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.93 m (1164.4 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 5.8 cm (2.3 in) over the last week, and is expected to decrease by 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2.4 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 275 m³/s with no changes scheduled at this time.

Conditions across the Winnipeg River Basin remained dry for most of the past seven days. Forecasts indicate this trend will continue over the coming week, with expected precipitation totals of 5 to 15 mm across most of the basin.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.44 m (1057.88 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2.1 cm (0.8 in) over the last week, and is expected to decrease by 1 to 1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will be reduced to 225 m³/s, on Friday, February 20^th to continue slowing the rate of level decline. This outflow reduction will cause levels on the Winnipeg River to decline by:

• 5 cm (2 in) below the Norman Dam
• 1.5 cm (0.6 in) at the Dalles
• no change at Minaki

The current level of Lac Seul is 354.98 m (1164.63 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 8.1 cm (3.2 in) over the last week, and is expected to decrease by 5 to 6.5 cm (2 to 2.6 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 275 m³/s with no changes scheduled at this time.

Conditions across the basin remained stable over the past week. Forecasts indicate dry conditions on most days and the possibility of above freezing daytime temperatures through the coming week.

The current level of the Lake of the Woods is 322.46 m (1057.95 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased 2.1 cm (0.8 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by 1.6 cm (0.6 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 275 m³/s, with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.07 m (1164.9 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 8.5 cm (3.3 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 5.8 to 8 cm (2.3 to 3.1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will be reduced to 275 m³/s, on Monday, February 16 to continue slowing the rate of level decline.

Conditions across the Winnipeg River basin remained stable this past week. Snow accumulated mainly in the northern and eastern portions of the basin. Over the next seven days, precipitation is expected across the entire basin, with the highest amounts in the English and Rainy-Namakan sub-basins. Lake of the Woods is expected to receive comparatively less.

The current level of the Lake of the Woods is 322.49 m (1058.02 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased 1.7 cm (0.7 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 1.2 to 1.8 cm (0.5 to 0.7 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 250 m³/s with no changes scheduled at this time.

The current level of Lac Seul is 355.15 m (1165.19 ft), a 15^th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level decreased 9.2 cm (3.6 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 4 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 325 m³/s with no changes scheduled at this time.