2026.11.05 Winter Regulation Strategy and Lake of the Woods Outflow Increase
Nov 05, 2026 11:48 am
Southeast portions of the Winnipeg River basin received substantial rainfall over the last week, with total accumulation in the range of 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 in) in the headwaters of Rainy and Namakan Lakes. This has triggered outflow increases at these lakes, and will result in higher inflow to Lake of the Woods in the coming days. With this rainfall, and winter approaching, staggered outflow increases at both Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul will be scheduled over the next several weeks.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.72 m (1058.8 ft), a 25th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 2 cm (0.8 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will be increased to 200 m3/s on Friday, November 6.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.28 m (1168.9 ft), a 50th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake decreased 1 cm (0.4 in) over the past week and is expected to remain stable or decrease by up to 1 cm (0.4 in) over the next week. Maintenance at the Ear Falls Generation Station has been extended into the weekend, and therefore the temporary authorized outflow reduction to 140 m3/s will be in place until Monday, November 9. Outflow will be restored to 200 m3/s next week once maintenance is complete.
Winter Regulation Strategy
On October 28, the LWCB held its fall Regulation Meeting in Kenora where it adopted a new Regulation Strategy. The strategy outlines regulation targets for various inflow conditions for the period up to March 2027, and was developed considering basin conditions, hydrological and meteorological forecasts and the input from representatives of First Nations, Specific Interest Groups, and Resource Advisors concerned with basin management.
Key conditions that were reviewed and discussed at the meeting included the impacts of the summer drought on the water supply in the basin, uncertainty in the upcoming winter conditions due to the larger El Niño weather pattern, and balancing core winter outflows with lake drawdown.
Lac Seul
Over the summer and fall, outflow from Lac Seul was managed to keep lake levels near the upper end of the target range for dry conditions. This stored water will support normal winter outflows. The regulation strategy focuses on monitoring lake levels closely over the winter, given ongoing dry conditions and uncertainty about snowfall and spring water supplies.
Lake of the Woods
Summer and early fall inflow to Lake of the Woods was very low, and outflow has been managed to preserve water storage ahead of winter. Although recent rainfall has provided some additional supply, winter outflow is expected to be below normal. The winter regulation strategy considers the preferences of all interest groups, while remaining responsive to evolving winter conditions.