Secretariat

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.65 m (1058.5 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 2 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 2 cm (0.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 2 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week.

Work to replace the Ear Falls Dam safety boom will begin on September 26 and crews will be in the water downstream of the dam. Lac Seul outflow will remain at 100 m³/s for the duration of the work.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.66 m (1058.6 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 100 m³/s on Friday, September 15.

This outflow reduction will cause levels on the Winnipeg River to decrease by approximately 8 cm (2 in) downstream of the Norman Dam, 3 cm (1 in) at the Dalles and will cause very little level change at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.07 m (1168.2 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 2 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week.

The work to replace the Ear Falls Dam safety boom has been delayed and will now occur from September 26 to October 10. Lac Seul outflow will remain at 100 m³/s until then and for the duration of the work.

As drought conditions persist across the Winnipeg River basin, the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) is planning ahead for its upcoming October Regulation Meeting and setting targets for winter flows and end-of-winter levels. The LWCB has been reviewing long term forecasts and metrological indicators. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an El Niño advisory, indicating it is very likely El Niño conditions will persist through the winter and that they may develop into a strong event.

You may have heard the term El Niño before. El Niño and La Niña describe the warming and cooling trends of climate patterns that develop over the Pacific Ocean. When ocean temperatures warm (El Niño) or cool (La Niña) they impact wind and rainfall patterns all over the globe, including North America. Generally, El Nino conditions cause warm and dry conditions in the Winnipeg River basin, and La Nina conditions cause cool and wet conditions. Studies have shown that El Niño and La Niña conditions can increase the risk of droughts and floods, respectively.

This winter, under El Niño conditions, the Winnipeg River basin can expect the predominant storm track to be further south, resulting in a milder winter with potentially lower than normal snowfall. With less snowfall over the winter, there in an increased chance for lower than normal spring flows. Thus, if El Niño conditions persist or strengthen over the winter and into next year, there is a chance drought conditions in the Winnipeg River basin may also persist.

Typical El Niño Winters, Graphic produced by NOAA, Published July 2021

In light of these developing conditions, the LWCB will temporarily decrease Lake of the Woods outflow to 100 m³/s on Friday, September 15. This outflow reduction is expected to last until mid-October.

By reducing outflow now, while inflow to the lake is at its lowest, some additional water will be stored in the lake. This extra storage will help maintain slightly higher lake levels over the course of the winter and ensure March lake levels are higher than those experienced under extreme drought conditions. To be clear, March lake levels are still expected to be lower than normal, however in case of extended drought conditions next year, having that little bit of extra storage may help provide sustained flows on the Winnipeg River.

This outflow reduction will cause levels on the Winnipeg River to decrease by approximately 8 cm (2 in) downstream of the Norman Dam, 3 cm (1 in) at the Dalles and will cause very little level change at Minaki.

If you have any concerns or questions about this outflow reduction, or drought conditions in the basin, please contact Secretariat staff by emailing us at secretariat@lwcb.ca or calling our toll free number at 1-800-661-5922.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.69 m (1058.7 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 2 to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to change little over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

From September 11 to 22, workers will be in the water downstream of the Ear Falls Dam to replace the safety boom. Therefore, Lac Seul outflow will remain at 100 m³/s for the duration of this work.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.8 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 2 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 2 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, September 4 due to the Civic Holiday.

Conditions across the Winnipeg River drainage basin remain dry, with some rainfall forecasted in the next week and more in the northern portion of the basin around Lac Seul. Water levels and flows throughout the basin all remain below normal.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.8 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level dropped by 3 cm (1 in) this past week and is expected to decline by 2 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.09 m (1168.3 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain relatively stable over the next week, increasing or decreasing by 2 cm (1 in). Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The extremely dry conditions and very low inflows to Lake of the Woods have caused the lake level to fall steadily since the beginning of August. The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.73 m (1058.8 ft) a 15th percentile level for this time of year.

In line with it’s Regulation Strategy, the LWCB is directing an outflow reduction to try to maintain storage on the lake as drought conditions persist. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 150 m³/s tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22.

This outflow reduction will cause the Winnipeg River water level to drop by approximately 8 cm (3 in) below the Norman Dam, 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles, and will cause no change at Minaki. The Winnipeg River below the Norman Dam and at Nutimik Lake, in Manitoba, are both at a 10th percentile level for this time of year.

Drought conditions persist and worsen across the Winnipeg River drainage basin. The North American Drought Monitor (map for July below) has now categorized the whole basin as being in a moderate drought and the upper English River basin in a severe drought. As such, the LWCB continues to try to maintain storage on the lakes and as much flow as possible in the rivers with the possibility of drought conditions extending into the fall.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.75 m (1058.9 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by another 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 200 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to change little over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Across the Winnipeg River basin, tributary flows and lake inflows remain low due to the underlying drought conditions. Precipitation in July was closer to normal for some areas of the basin, notably along a band stretching from Fort Frances, through Dryden and up to Red Lake. Much of this rain was soaked up by the dry ground and did not run off as inflow to the rivers and lakes. With large outflow cuts from Rainy Lake this past week and warm temperatures causing lake water to evaporate, inflow to Lake of the Woods has dropped sharply. An outflow reduction, as described below, is therefore necessary to slow the lake level decline and maintain storage heading into the fall.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.78 m (1059.0 ft), a 15^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 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 200 m³/s tomorrow, Friday, August 11.

This outflow reduction will cause the Winnipeg River water level to drop by approximately 9 cm (4 in) below the Norman Dam, 3 cm (1 in) above the Dalles, and will cause no change at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level remained stable over the past week and is expected to increase by 2 to 7 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.81 m (1059.1 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past 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 356.08 m (1168.2 ft), a 20^th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level increased by 2 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to increase up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 100 m³/s with no changes scheduled.