2025.04.10 Conditions Update and Lake of the Woods Outflow Increases
Apr 10, 2025 02:53 pm
Forecasts are predicting widespread precipitation over the Winnipeg River basin Sunday into Monday. With daytime temperatures well over 10 degrees Celsius, rain is expected at first, followed by a cold front moving in Sunday night and causing the rain to turn to snow or mixed precipitation on Monday. Basin-wide, total precipitation amounts are forecast in the 10 to 40 mm (0.5 to 1.5 in) range, with locally higher amounts up to 75 mm (3.0 in) possible over Lake of the Woods.
The LWCB is anticipating the beginning of spring freshet in the basin over the next week, as tributary flows increase in response to melting snow and precipitation. The Secretariat is closely monitoring conditions, including dam operations in upstream areas as freshet progresses. The Regulation Strategy adopted in March set a Lake of the Woods level target of 322.7 m (1058.7 ft) at the end of May, which is 27 cm (11 in) above the current level. Lake of the Woods outflow will be increased to allow for refill towards this target while balancing gradual level rise along the Winnipeg River.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.43 m (1057.8 ft), a 30th percentile level, in the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level remained stable over the last week and is expected to increase by 4 to 11 cm (1.5 to 4 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will increase to 275 m3/s on Saturday, April 12th and to 300 m3/s on Monday, April 14th.
As a result of these outflow increases, levels along the Winnipeg River are expected to increase by 10 cm (4 in) below the Norman Dam, 7 cm (2.5 in) above Kimberley Rapids and 4 cm (1.5 in) at the Dalles. Levels at Minaki will not be affected by these flow changes.
The current level of Lac Seul is 354.61 m (1163.4 ft), a 20th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The lake level declined by 5 cm (2 in) over the last week and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 200 m3/s, with no changes scheduled.