Level Forecast

While Lake of the Woods has returned to the legislated operating range, it remains almost 30 cm (1 ft) above normal summer targets, while the Winnipeg River near Kenora is over 180 cm (6 ft) above normal summer levels. The Board has begun a series of regular outflow reductions from Lake of the Woods to target low-normal levels by the end of October for both Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River. These reductions will continue throughout the months of September and October unless wet conditions develop. With regular reductions in outflow, the river will see a gradual drop in levels, providing those along the river time to adjust their docks as the river falls. Given outflow cuts from Rainy Lake, increasing evaporation, and dry medium-range weather forecasts, the level of Lake of the Woods will continue to see a sharp decline regardless of the outflow reductions. This approach is covered in the Board’s Regulation Strategy, adopted in August, which targets lower levels for both the lake and river by the end of October to assist with post-flood repairs.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.35 m (1060.8 ft), over 95^th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 15 cm (5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 14-16 cm (5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 1075 m³/s on Tuesday, September 13^th and to 1000 m³/s on Thursday, September 15^th.

Winnipeg River levels are expected to decline by 22 cm (9 in) below the Norman Dam, by 18 cm (7 in) above the Dalles and by 14 cm (5 in) at Minaki following each flow reduction.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.40 m (1169.3 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 6 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 4 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to decrease to 300 m³/s on Monday, September 12^th.

Manitoba Hydro has provided the following forecast for the Winnipeg River through the Whiteshell.

The level of Lake of the Woods fell below 323.39 m (1061.0 ft) on Tuesday, September 6^th , returning to the legislated operating range 119 days after rising above it.

While Lake of the Woods has returned to the legislated operating range, it remains over 30 cm (1 ft) above normal summer targets, while the Winnipeg River near Kenora is over 180 cm (6 ft) above normal summer levels. The Board will begin a series of regular outflow reductions from Lake of the Woods to target low-normal levels by the end of October for both Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River. These reductions will begin on September 8^th and will continue throughout the months of September and October unless wet conditions develop. With regular reductions in outflow, the river will see a gradual drop in levels, providing those along the river time to adjust their docks as the river falls. Given outflow cuts from Rainy Lake, increasing evaporation, and dry medium-range weather forecasts, the level of Lake of the Woods will continue to see a sharp decline regardless of the outflow reductions. This approach is covered in the Board’s Regulation Strategy, adopted in August, which targets lower levels for both the lake and river by the end of October to assist with post-flood repairs.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.37 m (1060.9 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 14 cm (5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline at a rate of 15 cm (6 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 1150 m³/s on Thursday, September 8th.

With this outflow reduction, Winnipeg River levels are expected to decline by 17 cm (7 in) below the Norman Dam, by 14 cm (5 in) above the Dalles and by 10 cm (4 in) at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.42 m (1169.3 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 6 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to decrease to 350 m³/s on Thursday, September 8^th.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.50 m (1061.3 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 12 cm (4 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in) over the next week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.48 m (1169.5 ft), a 50th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 7 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to decrease to 400 m³/s on Tuesday, September 6^th.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board has scheduled Public Information Sessions in September. Board members and staff will provide an overview of the 2022 flooding and answer questions. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Monday, September 19: Winnipeg, MB

7 to 8:30 pm at the Holiday Inn, Winnipeg South (1330 Pembina Highway) in the Heritage III Ballroom

Tuesday, September 20: Kenora, ON

7 to 8:30 pm at the Travelodge, Kenora (800 Highway 17 East) in the Conference Room

Wednesday, September 21: Morson, ON

1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Morson Community Hall (21 Dalseg Drive)

Wednesday, September 21: Warroad, MN

7 to 8:30 pm at the Warroad High School (510 Cedar Avenue) in the Theatre

The Board is also publishing a three-part video series covering the historic 2022 flooding in the Winnipeg River drainage basin, including answers to frequent questions about the event. The first of these videos is available on the 2022 Flooding Info page (www.lwcb.ca/noticeboard/2022-flood-info/). Additional videos will be published over the next couple of weeks.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.53 m (1061.4 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 11 cm (4 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 12 to 14 cm (4 to 5 in) over the next week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.48 m (1169.5 ft), a 50th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 9 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 4 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.

On August 30^th the Root River diversion was fully opened, to an outflow of 145 m³/s into Lac Seul. This flow increase will not result in additional flow down the English River as the authorized outflow for Lac Seul will not change.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.58 m (1061.6 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 9 cm (3 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) per week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.53 m (1169.7 ft), a 65th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 7 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.62 m (1061.7 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 9 cm (3 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 8 to 11 cm (3 to 4 in) per week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.55 m (1169.8 ft), a 70th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 7 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.

Manitoba Hydro has provided the following forecast for the Winnipeg River through the Whiteshell.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.64 m (1061.8 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 9 cm (3 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 9 to 11 cm (3 to 4 in) per week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.57 m (1169.8 ft), a 75th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 6 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to increase slightly or decline by up to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.

On August 19^th, Ontario Power Generation regained authority over the Root River diversion. On August 23^d the diversion was partially opened, releasing an additional 80 m³/s of inflow to Lac Seul. This flow increase will not result in additional flow down the English River as the authorized outflow for Lac Seul will not change.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.67 m (1062.0 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 8 cm (2 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 8 to 11 cm (3 to 4 in) per week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.60 m (1169.9 ft), a 75th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 4 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 4 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.

Over the past week, large amounts of precipitation fell over many areas of the basin. Weekly totals were well above average ranging from 40 to 75 mm for most areas. This rainfall has caused tributary flows to increase temporarily and lake levels to stabilize for a day or two. This brief but intense rainfall will not stop the drawdown of Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul and precipitation conditions are forecasted to return to the normal range over the next week.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.72 m (1062.1 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 10 cm (3 in) over the past week. Lake of the Woods is expected to decline at a rate of 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) per week. The dams in Kenora remain fully open.

The Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki is expected to gradually fall between 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week as the Lake of the Woods level falls.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.62 m (1170.0 ft), an 80th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 450 m³/s with no scheduled changes.