LOTWs Water Levels

[Frank Walsh]

Seems like a week ago I looked at the Water Control Board site, and they were drawing the lake down about 2" per week, and had most of the winter.
That was then, this is now:

"Issued: 2009.04.02
Normally issued weekly on Thursdays but may be issued more frequently or on other days depending on conditions.


The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.58 m (1058.3 ft), a 75th percentile level for this time of year. The main lake level rose 8 cm (3.5 in) over the past week and is expected to rise 6-12 cm over the next week.

Lake of the Woods outflow is 670 m³/s."

[Doug Johnson]

Looks like a high water year!

Should be good for the spawn.

Doug Johnson

[Frank Walsh]

Let's just hope that it's on time, and normal this year. Not like last year's debacle.

[Pikebob]

Debacle, Big word for you Frank so early in the morning!!! Word of the day? LOL!!!

[Frank Walsh]

Hey, it's what holds my belt together.

[Pikebob]

Badaboomp!

[dpear]

Pikebob,
High water-just think,you can get back in certain bays again.Get there early man!Opportunity knocks.:)

[Frank Walsh]

Now that it's melting some, it's looking pretty high. Comparing the barge fastening chain to previous years, really rings home just where it is. The first photos showing the chain under water are from today. The other two photos showing the chain out of water are from last year, and the year before. I retrieved them from the old message board, along with this verbiage:

"Here's a pretty good graphic comparison of the water level right now compared to last spring. Not much difference. The one with more water than ice is last year. Should be the top photo."

Here is the weekly notice from the Water Control Board:

"The current level of Lake of the Woods is 322.87 m (1059.3 ft), a 95th percentile level for this time of year. The main lake level rose 20 cm (8 in) over the past week and is expected to rise 12-20 cm (5-8 in) over the next week.

Lake of the Woods outflow will be increased from 770 to 890 m³/s on Thursday, April 23. Further flow increases are likely.


The outflow increase will cause the Winnipeg River immediately below Kenora, which is currently 90 cm (35 in) above normal, to rise an additional 35 cm (14 in). At Minaki, the current water level is near normal, but will rise about 30 cm (12 in) with the flow increases."

The chart http://www.lwcb.ca/pdf/LakeoftheWoodsGraph2009.04.23.pdf shows the current level about a foot higher than average for this time of year. Sitting about June 1st levels.

[Frank Walsh]

Don't ask. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer this morning.