The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.74 m (1058.9 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to increase by up to 4 cm (1.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.40 m (1169.3 ft), a 50th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 2.5 cm (1 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 200 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
Hydro Outages at Dams
Hydro One will be conducting work on the electrical grid starting this weekend which will affect the dams at Ear Falls and Kenora. For both outages, generators will be shut off at the dams and flow will need to be passed through the spill gates. During these operations, there will be fluctuations in water levels on the Winnipeg and English Rivers.
September 12 to 14: Outage at Ear Falls
Expect a temporary water level decrease on the English River between Ear Falls and Manitou Falls, as well as at Pakwash Lake and Camping Lake. A lesser decrease in water levels is also expected directly downstream of Manitou Falls. There will be minimal impact on water levels further downstream and no impact at Caribou Falls.
September 16: Outage at Kenora
Expect levels along the Winnipeg River to fluctuate by 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) on the day of the outage and potentially into the following day, as operators restore flow through the generators and close the log sluices.
Caution: These outages will exacerbate already low water levels due to the ongoing drought conditions. The LWCB recommends that boaters exercise increased caution on the outage days indicated.
A cold front brought significant rainfall to much of the Winnipeg River basin over the Labour Day weekend, with the highest amounts recorded near Kenora and Ear Falls. Rainfall directly on lakes and rivers caused local water levels to rise by a few centimetres; however, drought conditions have limited runoff, resulting in little increase in tributary river flows across the region.
The recent rises in Winnipeg and English River water levels, along with the spikes in inflows to Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul from direct rainfall on the lakes, are expected to be temporary. As drier conditions return, lake inflows and river flows are expected to decline over the coming days.
Although conditions were relatively dry over the past week, forecasts suggest a change in weather patterns early next week. A low-pressure system is expected to move across the region from Monday through Tuesday, bringing the potential for significant rainfall, particularly over the southern portions of the basin.
While precipitation forecasts beyond a few days remain uncertain, this system could produce the wettest conditions observed in the Winnipeg River basin in several weeks. If the forecasted rainfall materializes, lake inflows are expected to increase, which would lead to rising lake levels.
The Secretariat will continue to monitor conditions closely and will advise if any outflow increases are required next week.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.73 m (1058.8 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2 cm (0.8 in) over the past week and, depending on rainfall amounts, may increase by up to 10 cm (4 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.37 m (1169.2 ft), a 40th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 2 cm (0.8 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 11 cm (1 to 4 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will increase to 200 m3/s on Friday, September 4.
The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, September 7 (Labour Day). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, September 8.
The Winnipeg River basin received 15 to 30 mm (0.6 to 1.2 in) of rainfall this week, with localized amounts of 30 to 50 mm (1.2 to 2 in) around Lac Seul and east of Lake of the Woods along the international border. This rainfall has caused temporary increases in lake inflows. However, sustained, near-normal precipitation will be needed to meaningfully improve drought conditions.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.75 m (1058.9 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level changed little over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 2 cm (0.8 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.35 m (1169.1 ft), a 35th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 3 cm (1.2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 1 to 3.5 cm (0.4 to 1.4 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
Since mid-May, drought conditions have steadily spread and increased in severity across the watershed. in response, the LWCB has directed gradual reductions in Lake of the Woods outflow over the summer. A further reduction is scheduled for Friday, August 21.
Drought Conditions
Total precipitation in May through July was well below normal across the region:
Data Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Regional Deterministic Precipitation Analysis
The August 18 Minnesota drought map from the United States Drought Monitor shows the entire Lake of the Woods watershed in Minnesota as being in either moderate drought (Lake of the Woods and lower Rainy River) or severe drought (Rainy Lake and upstream areas).
The most recent Canada Drought Monitor Map is from July 31 and shows the drought conditions extend across the Canadian portion of the Lake of the Woods watershed. The English River watershed is also in drought, with the central region showing a pocket of Extreme Drought developing.
Canada Drought Monitor, July 31, 2026
Another visualization of the change in conditions since early May is the Standardized Precipitation Index, produced by the North American Drought Monitor. Values below zero are related to drought conditions. All of the watershed is below zero with much of the watershed near negative 2, well below normal for this period, and one of the driest parts of North America compared to normal over this 3-month period.
Water Supply to Lake of the Woods
As a result of this worsening drought, flow in all tributaries in the Lake of the Woods watershed are below the 10th percentile (1-in-10 year low) for this time of year. Rainy Lake outflow, which is normally the largest source of water for Lake of the Woods, has been at the minimum allowed by the International Joint Commission since late June.
In August, daily inflow values to Lake of the Woods have been well below normal, with many daily values below zero. Negative inflow in late summer occurs under dry conditions due to evaporation from the lake. Under negative inflow conditions, the lake level would decline even with no outflow through the dams into the Winnipeg River. Current inflow is less than 5th percentile for late August, below a 1-in-20 year low.
Lake of the Woods Regulation Strategy for Low Inflow
The LWCB’s summer Regulation Strategy, adopted at Regulation Meeting in Kenora in June, lays out how the LWCB aims to balance conditions under low inflow conditions. The Secretariat has been implementing this strategy, making gradual cuts to outflow as the lake level has declined to balance the lake and river levels. The strategy includes lowering outflow to as low as 150 m³/s to prevent the lake from falling below 322.70 m (1058.73) through the end of September. The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.75 m (1058.9 ft) and the rate of decline has been 3-4 cm (1-1.5 in) per week.
Lake of the Woods Outflow Reduction August 21 to 150 m³/s
Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will be reduced to from 200 to 150 m³/s on Friday, August 21 in line with the strategy. The level of the Winnipeg River below Norman Dam is expected to decline by about 7 cm (~ 3 in) as a result of this flow change, with smaller effects downstream. The river level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.
This flow reduction will slow but not stop the declining lake level. Substantial rainfall around Lake of the Woods and in the headwaters are needed to improve drought conditions, raise tributary flows, and provide sufficient inflow to Lake of the Woods to allow the lake level to rise again.
No Changes to Lac Seul Outflow
Despite drought conditions in the English River watershed, inflow to Lac Seul is at the lower end of the normal range for late August. This is due in large part to flows out of Lake St. Joseph into Lac Seul via the Root River Diversion.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.31 m (1169.0 ft), a 30th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 1.5 cm (~ 0.5 in) over the last week and is expected to change little over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 150 m³/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.80 m (1059.06 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 3 cm (1.2 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by at the same rate over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is200 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.29 m (1168.93 ft), a 30th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 3 cm (1.2 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.83 m (1059.15 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is200 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.26 m (1168.8 ft), a 30th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 4.5 cm (1.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 4 to 6 cm (1.5 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
As Lake of the Woods continues to decline, a further small reduction in outflow is scheduled to help maintain a balance between conditions on the lake and the Winnipeg River. Recent rainfall over Lac Seul has helped sustain inflows, and with lake levels gradually rising, no additional outflow reductions are required at this time.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.85 m (1059.2 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 1 cm (0.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 200 m3/s on Friday, July 31.
This outflow reduction will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 4.5 cm (1.7 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 1.5 cm (0.5 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.21 m (1168.7 ft), a 30th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 7 cm (2.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is150 m3/s with no changes scheduled.
The LWCB Basin Data page will not be updated on Monday, August 3 (Civic Holiday in Canada). Daily data updates and publication will resume on Tuesday, August 4.
Dry conditions are expected to persist across the Winnipeg River basin. Recent pockets of local precipitation have had little to no impact on the inflow to the major lakes. The Board continues to follow the guidelines in its Regulation Strategy to 1) store water in Lac Seul in case of ongoing dry conditions in the fall, and 2) achieve a balance between interests on Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River as water supply remains well below normal.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.87 m (1059.3 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 2.5 cm (1 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1.5 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 225 m3/s on Friday, July 24.
These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 5 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.14 m (1168.3 ft), a 25th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 4.5 cm (1.8 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 4 to 7 cm (1.5 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 150 m3/s on Friday, July 24.
Weather stations across the Winnipeg River basin recorded no rainfall over the past week. As a result, further outflow reductions are necessary to balance conditions on the lakes and rivers. While some rainfall is forecast for tomorrow, dry conditions are expected to persist over the coming week.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.89 m (1059.3 ft), a 15th percentile level, below the normal range for this time of year. The average lake level declined by 4 cm (1.5 in) over the past week and is expected to decline by up to 1.5 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 in) over the next week. Lake of the Woods authorized outflow will decrease to 250 m3/s on Friday, July 17.
These outflow reductions will cause the level of the Winnipeg River to decline by approximately 5 cm (2 in) directly downstream of the Norman Dam and 2 cm (1 in) above the Dalles. The level at Minaki will not be affected by this flow change.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.10 m (1168.3 ft), a 25th percentile level, within the normal range for this time of year. The lake level increased by 1.5 cm (0.5 in) over the last week and is expected to increase by 3 to 7 cm (1 to 2.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow will decrease to 175 m3/s on Friday, July 17.
