International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board Water Levels Committee Announces New Water Level Targets for Rainy and Namakan Lakes

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) met to review current conditions and forecasts and determine new lake level targets for the remaining spring freshet.

The target water levels for Rainy and Namakan Lake will be within the 25-75% band of their rule curves. The WLC will continue to monitor conditions over the coming weeks and provide further direction for lake level regulation when necessary.

The targets were established based on an evaluation of current and forecast conditions including the following factors:   

• The snow considered in water level decisions in March has melted.

• Current forecasts indicate somewhat drier-than-normal and cooler-than-normal pattern.

• Inflows are higher than normal for this time of year.

The WLC continues to update the IRLWWB’s Water Level Decisions & Data page with biweekly updates through May (or June) as melt and runoff continue.

For information on current conditions, forecasts, and any active flood advisories or warnings, visit the National Weather Services Rainy River Basin page.

Want to learn more about the control of outflow from Rainy Lake? A factsheet was created to explain the flow limitations and how the International Dam downstream of the outlet of the lake can and can’t be used to adjust the water level of Rainy Lake.

Associated Links

• Factsheet - Control of Outflow from Rainy Lake

• Key Roles and Responsibilities for Binational Water Management of Water Levels in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed

• Ice Safety – Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

• Ice Safety – Canadian Coast Guard

• International Joint Commission - Temporary Supplementary Order, March 3, 2023

Contacts

Elizabeth Jamieson (Engineering Advisor, Canada)
Abby Moore (Engineering Advisor, United States)
International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board
rlwwb@ijc.org