2024.08.01 Conditions Update and Level Forecast
With the exception of some heavy rainfall early this week impacting the headwaters of Lac Seul, conditions across the Winnipeg River basin have become much drier and very hot. This has allowed for tributary flows and lake inflows to start declining steadily. Upstream of Lake of the Woods, both Rainy and Namakan Lakes are expected to return to their rule curves this week, and as a result, outflow reductions at these lakes are underway. Once the level of Lake of the Woods has also come down a few more centimeters, outflow reductions at the dams in Kenora will be scheduled next week to match the cuts upstream and begin providing relief downstream on the Winnipeg River. More details on the outflow reductions will be provided early next week.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.29 m (1060.6 ft), an 85th percentile level, above the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level decreased by 2 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to decrease by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in), over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is 1061 m3/s with all sluices fully open at the Norman Dam in Kenora. The dams cannot be opened any more and outflow will rise and fall with the lake level.
With the Norman Dam fully open, outflows will change with lake levels and so will levels along the Winnipeg River.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.38 m (1169.2 ft), a 30th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 2 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable, increasing or decreasing by 1 to 2 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 350 m3/s with no additional changes currently scheduled.