Lake of the Woods is expected to reach the 2014 peak early this week, according to the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB).
Inflow into Lake of the Woods is nearly double the maximum outflow that is being released through the fully opened dams in Kenora, as lakes upstream are at or higher than their 2014 peak.
The LWCB estimates that inflow into Lake of the Woods is over 2400 m³/s, while outflow from the fully opened dams in Kenora is estimated at 1292 m³/s.
Lake of the Woods rose by 23 cm (9 in) over the past week and is expected to rise by approximately 13-15 cm (5-6 in) over the next 7 days. The average level of the lake is 323.71 m (1062.0 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year.
The LWCB says the lake will continue to rise at a slower rate into June. However, the rate will depend on rainfall, particularly in the Rainy River and local Lake of the Woods area.
As the lake continues to rise, the level of the Winnipeg River between Kenora and Minaki will also rise.
The level rise over the next 7 days below Norman Dam and down to Minaki is expected to be 7-10 cm (3-4 in).
This estimate is approximate given the uncertainty in the extremely high local flows entering the river from tributary areas below Kenora (e.g. Black Sturgeon). The river will continue to gradually rise as long as Lake of the Woods continues to rise.
There is some good news.
The LWCB says many of the natural tributaries across the region have crested with some now falling, but it is unlikely that they will return to normal flows this month and forecasts indicate that inflows to all major lakes in the watershed will continue to be exceptionally high, but falling, for the 7-day forecast period.