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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.

2022.09.07 Level Forecast and Update

The level of Lake of the Woods fell below 323.39 m (1061.0 ft) on Tuesday, September 6th , 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 8th 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 8th.

2022.09.02 Level Forecast

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 6th.

Public Information Sessions and Videos

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.

2022.08.31 Level Forecast

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 30th 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.

2022.08.29 Level Forecast

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.

2022.08.26 Level Forecast

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.

2022.08.24 Level Forecast

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 19th, Ontario Power Generation regained authority over the Root River diversion. On August 23d 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.

2022.08.22 Level Forecast

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.