By Secretariat
July 25, 2022
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.07 m (1063.2 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the past week. The lake level is above the 2014 peak of 323.78 m (1062.29 ft) and is below the record peak since regulation began of 324.31 m (1064.0 ft), set in July of 1950. The dams in Kenora remain fully open. Over the next week, the lake level is expected to declined by 5 to 9 cm (2 to 4 in).
Upstream, the level of Rainy Lake is expected to drop below the All Gates Open level in the next couple days, allowing the closure of dam gates. There will be a first reduction in outflow from Rainy Lake on July 26th or 27th. The effect of this flow reduction on the level of Lake of the Woods, will be seen closer to the end of the week. The level of Rainy Lake will then return to the normal IJC-regulated range in the first week of August. Additional outflow reductions are planned and barring a return to very wet weather, this should result in a much faster rate of decline at Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River towards mid-August.
With decreasing inflows to Lake of the Woods, the outflow from the lake will also gradually drop. Levels along the Winnipeg River will see moderate decreases of up to 8 cm (3 in) directly below the Norman Dam and 6 cm (2 in) at Minaki.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.72 m (1170.3 ft), 80th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul changed little over the past week. The lake level is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 400 m³/s with no changes scheduled.