Lake of the Woods Control Board Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 
 

CHANGE IN BASIN CONDITIONS FROM 2002 TO 2003

QUESTION:  Why were water levels so high in 2002 and so low in 2003?
ANSWER:  The Board can only work with the inflows that nature provides. Using the Lake of the Woods as an example, inflows for the June-July period in 2002 averaged 1,796 m³/s (63,400 ft³/s), the highest on record since 1916. In contrast, inflows for the September 2002 through August 2003 period averaged only 145 m³/s (5,120 ft³/s), the 3rd lowest on record for this extended period since 1916. Such great variability in inflows will inevitably be reflected in water levels.
 
                             Inflow Ranking List