Storm Tracker

The region’s extremely high water levels have caused evacuations, flooding, washouts and much more.

The over 300 cm of snow the area received this winter, accompanied by over 88 mm of rain in May alone, have caused the unprecedented water levels across the region. Various areas north of Kenora have been closed and are currently under an Evacuation Order.

A Flood Warning remains in effect for Red Lake, with a Flood Watch issued for Kenora and Dryden. The orders have been issued by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

Motorists that use Pinecone Drive should exercise caution navigating the roadway as the road has deteriorated, causing the shoulder of the road to fail.

City crews are setting up barriers along the shoulder of the road and continue to monitor the conditions.

As of 8:55 am Wednesday, May 18:

East Melick Road closed at Essex Road.

East Melick Road is closed 600m north of the Portier bridge. 

City of Kenora officials issued a flood watch on Sunday (May 15, 2022) for Carlton Road, Anderson Branch Road, and Peterson Road as city road patrollers are concerned with rising water levels in those areas.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

The increasing high water levels across northwestern Ontario and remaining ice on various lakes have caused many structures, such as docks to be swept away or suffer severe damage.

Jim and Barb Crowley who own LacLu Landing, just northwest of Kenora on Rice Bay, are staring down a $20,000 bill to fix one of their floating docks that were severely damaged last week.

Environment Canada is saying residents should enjoy the sunshine while it lasts on Tuesday (May 17, 2022), as they are predicting more rain and cloudy conditions for the rest of the week.

Meteorologist Gerald Cheng is saying that an unsettled pattern of weather is making its way to the region starting Tuesday night (May 17, 2022).

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry has upgraded its flood watch for the Red Lake district to a flood warning. It will stay in effect until May 23 at the earliest.

Residents across the Red Lake area, including those near Dixie Lake, Suffel Lake, Longlegged Lake, Pakwash Lake, the Chukuni River, Coli Lake and the Berens Lake watersheds are asked to use extreme caution on roadways and bridges with the high water levels in the region and more rain on the way.

Water levels on Lake of the Woods and in the Whiteshell continue to rise as a result of continuous rainfall and snowmelt.

A spokesperson with the Whiteshell Cottagers Association says between May 8th and May 12th, the water rose by three to nine inches on the Whiteshell and Falcon River systems and by 18 to 22 inches on the Winnipeg River System.

The association has been sent photos and comments about flooded shoreline structures flooded access roads and damage caused by the wind driving ice into docks and boathouses.

As of 8:45 am Monday, May 17:

East Melick Road closed at Essex Road.

East Melick Road is closed 600m north of the Portier bridge. 

Gordon Lake Road, west of McIntosh Road closed due to the increased flow of water through the Forest Lake dam.

Highway 599 from Highway 516 is closed due to flooding from Pintail Rd to Pickle Lake. 

Segise Road, east of Grassy Narrows First Nation, washed out due to high water levels.

Video Credit: JB Fobister/Facebook

A boathouse came loose on Lake of the Woods over the weekend and began to float around. High water levels in the Lake of the Woods watershed have resulted in flooding and damage to homes, cottages, and local infrastructure.

As of publishing, it's unknown what happened to the boathouse.

Video submitted to KenoraOnline.