KENORA - RAINY RIVER – The current level of Lake of the Woods is 324.10 metres, over the 95th percentile level for this time of year, according to the Lake of the Wood Secretariat.
The lake level is above the 2014 peak of 323.78 metres and is below the record peak since regulation began at 324.31 metres set in July of 1950.
The dams in Kenora remain fully open and no additional actions can be taken to limit lake level rise.
Upstream from Lake of the Woods, Namakan Lake has returned to normal summer levels while Rainy Lake remains high.
Flows in tributaries in the Rainy River basin are low following generally drier weather in June.
However, flood warnings remain in effect for the remainder of the week.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is still advising residents in Atikokan, Fort Frances, Mine Center, Emo, Rainy River, and the unincorporated areas along the Seine River, Rainy Lake, and Lake of the Woods to continue to do their due diligence and maintain the safety their properties with sandbags wherever is appropriate and maintain caution while driving in flood areas where the road might give way.
With outflow from Rainy Lake gradually dropping as the lake level falls, the water level of Lake of the Woods also is expected to fall by three to five centimetres over the next seven days.
The flood warning is expected to end Fri. July 8 at 5 p.m.
As the lake level begins to drop, the outflow from the lake will also slowly fall.
This will result in the water level between Winnipeg River and Kenora and Minaki will begin to fall gradually over the next week by one to two centimetres.
The current level of Lac Seul is 356.77 metres, the 85th percentile level for this time of year.
The level of the main body of Lac Seul is expected to fall by three to five centimetres over the next 7 days.
Lac Seul authorized outflow was reduced to 600 m³/s on Mon. July 4, with no other flow changes currently scheduled.
