.png)
LWCB released an update on water levels following a massive rain storm on Tuesday night.
The region saw significant rainfall on July 19, with widespread totals of 50 mm and as much as 100 mm in some areas around the Winnipeg River. As a result, local tributary flows and lake/river levels are expected to increase.
The Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) says that the increases should only be temporary and that things will return as drier conditions return next week.
The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.09 m (1063.3 ft), over the 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level increased by 1.5 cm due to the heavy rainfall on July 19.
The lake level still remains above the 2014 peak level of 323.78 m (1062.29 ft) but still below the all-time record of 324.31 m (1064.0 ft) that was set in 1950.
The dams in Kenora remain fully open. Over the next week, the LWCB expects lake levels to drop by up to 2.5 cm (1 in).
Tuesday’s rainfall resulted in the Winnipeg River rising another 4 cm (1.5 in) directly below the Norman Dam, by 5.5 cm (2 in) at Minaki and by 13 cm (5 in) at Boundary Falls near the Manitoba border. As there are no changes in the Lake of the Woods outflow, increased river levels are expected to be temporary.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.71 m (1170.3 ft), the 80th percentile level for this time of year. The level of the main body of Lac Seul increased by 1 cm due to the heavy rainfall on July 19.
The lake level is expected to decrease by 4 cm (1.5 in) over the next week. Lac Seul authorized outflow is 400 m³/s with no changes scheduled.