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2022.10.13 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.83 m (1059.1 ft), a 45th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 6 cm (2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 3 cm (1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 475 m3/s on Friday, October 14th.

The levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline by 20 cm (8 in) below the Norman Dam and by 11 cm (4 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will no longer be affected by outflow changes from Lake of the Woods, as it has returned to normal levels.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.21 m (1168.7 ft), a 35th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 4 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by 1.5 cm (0.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 285 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

2022.10.06 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.89 m (1059.3 ft), 60th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 10 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 10 cm (3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 625 m3/s on Friday, October 7th and to 550 m3/s on Tuesday, October 11th.

The levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline with each flow change by 21 cm (8 in) below the Norman Dam and by 13 cm (5 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will no longer be affected by outflow changes from Lake of the Woods, and will return to normal stable levels.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.25 m (1168.8 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 4 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by 1.5 cm (0.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to increase to 285 m³/s on Wednesday, October 12th.

2022.09.29 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.99 m (1059.7 ft), 70th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 11 cm (3 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 9 cm (3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 775 m3/s on Friday, September 30th and to 700 m3/s on Tuesday, October 4th.

The levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline with each flow change by 22 cm (9 in) below the Norman Dam, by 16 cm (6 in) above the Dalles and by 14 cm (5 in) at Minaki. The resulting total weekly drop will be 46 cm (18 in) below Norman Dam and 30 cm (12 in) above the Dalles and at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.29 m (1168.9 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 3 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 250 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

Manitoba Hydro has provided the following forecast for the Winnipeg River through the Whiteshell: Water levels & flows

2022.09.26 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.03 m (1059.8 ft), 75th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 13 cm (4 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 8 cm (3 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 850 m3/s on Tuesday, September 27th and then to 775 m3/s on Friday, September 30th.

The levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline with each flow change by 23 cm (9 in) below the Norman Dam and by 16 cm (6 in) above the Dalles and at Minaki. The resulting total weekly drop will be 46 cm (18 in) below Norman Dam and 31 cm (12 in) above the Dalles and at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.30 m (1169 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 5 cm (1.5 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is scheduled to decrease to 250 m³/s on Tuesday, September 27th.

2022.09.22 Level Forecast

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.10 m (1060.04 ft), 80th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 10 cm (4 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 11 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods outflow is scheduled to decrease to 925 m3/s on Friday, September 23d.

As a result of this flow change, levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline by 23 cm (9 in) below the Norman Dam, by 17 cm (7 in) above the Dalles and by 14 cm (5 in) at Minaki.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.31 m (1169 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 6 cm (2.4 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 11 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

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

2022.09.15 Level Forecast

After two weeks of very dry weather, the next few days will be much wetter for most parts of the Winnipeg River basin with a low-pressure system slowly tracking through Northwestern Ontario. Over the next few days, precipitation totals are expected to reach at least 50 mm for the majority of the basin, with some locally higher amounts of rainfall possible. This precipitation will cause tributary flows to increase temporarily and will add inflow to the major lakes.

The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.20 m (1060.4 ft), 90th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 16 cm (5 in) over the past week. The forecasted precipitation will not stop the lake level decline, but will simply slow the rate of decline to 4 to 11 cm (1 to 4 in) over the next week. The scheduled Lake of the Woods outflow decrease to 1000 m3/s has been postponed to Tuesday, September 20th.

Over the next few days, Winnipeg River levels may remain stable with local inflow increases caused by the precipitation. However, by Monday with the outflow reduction from Lake of the Woods, the levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to decline by 18 cm (7 in) below the Norman Dam, by 14 cm (5 in) above the Dalles and by 11 cm (4 in) at Minaki with this outflow reduction.

The current level of Lac Seul is 356.36 m (1169.1 ft), a 40th percentile level for this time of year. The lake level declined by 4 cm (1 in) over the past week and with the forecasted precipitation is expected to remain stable or increase by up to 5 cm (2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 300 m³/s with no changes scheduled.

An additional Public Information Session has been added to the schedule for next week. On Wednesday, September 21st a session will be held in Morson, ON from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Morson Community Hall.

2022 Flood Video #2

The Board is publishing a three-part video series covering the historic 2022 flooding in the Winnipeg River drainage basin. The second video, which reviews hydrology of the flooding and the Board’s regulation of Lake of the Woods outflow in the winter and spring, is now available on the 2022 Flood Info page (www.lwcb.ca/noticeboard/2022-flood-info/). The last installment, covering answers to frequently asked questions, will follow shortly.

2022.09.09 Level Forecast

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 95th 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 13th and to 1000 m3/s on Thursday, September 15th.

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 12th.

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