Outflows increased as Lake of the Woods rises

News Release LWCB The Lake of the Woods Control Board has authorized a series of outflow increases from Lake of the Woods due to quickly rising lake levels. Winnipeg River levels are also rising quickly, due to the outflow increases. Lake of the Woods basin conditions have changed from very dry to wet in the past several weeks due to rainfall and high flows released from upstream lakes. Lake of the Woods inflow has increased five-fold in the past three weeks. Lake of the Woods outflow was increased from 250 to 400 m 3 /s from October 16 to 19 and will be increased further to 600 m 3 /s by Wednesday, October 24. Additional outflow increases will be made. The lake has risen 12 cm (5 in) over the past week and is continuing to rise. Winnipeg River levels below Kenora have risen 50 cm (20 in) over the past week and will rise an additional 50 cm (20 in) due to the outflow increases already scheduled. River water levels will continue to rise even higher as additional outflow increases are implemented. Although water levels at Minaki have not yet been impacted by the wetter conditions, it is likely that future outflow increases will lead to water level increases there as well. The rising river flows have also had an impact on the Winnipeg River in Manitoba. Nutimik Lake in the Whiteshell has risen 14 cm (6 in) over the past week and will continue rising as river flows continue to increase. Up-to-date information on lake levels and river flows in the Winnipeg River drainage basin can be obtained at the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) web site (http://www.lwcb.ca). Less detailed information can be obtained by calling the Board’s recorded message service at 1-800-667-5922. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Board’s Secretariat at 1-800-661-5922.