Levels and Flows for Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs and Aquifers

Lakes Report

June 23, 2006

Levels and forecasts for 36 lakes in Manitoba as of June 16-23, 2006 are provided on the attached tables for “Southern Manitoba Lakes” and “Northern Manitoba Lakes” Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the attachment to go from one table to the other.

• Most lakes crested in April or May due following peak inflows from spring runoff.
• Many lakes in southern Manitoba were well above their desirable range during April or early May. Smaller lakes have subsided since the spring with some exceptions.
• Lakes which remain well above the desirable range and have declined little since the spring include Lake of The Prairies, Whitewater Lake, Cormorant Lake, and the Shoal Lakes in the Interlake. Red Deer Lake has declined four feet but is still four feet above its normal summer level. Some shoreline flooding continues on these lakes but this should gradually diminish during the summer.
• The levels of Dauphin Lake, Lake St. Martin, Lake Pineimuta, as well as most lakes in the vicinity of The Pas are at above average levels but somewhat below flood stage.
• Most lakes in the Whiteshell area away from the Winnipeg River are at below average levels and some are below the bottom of the desirable range. Logs have been placed on controlled lakes to minimize further declines in case dry weather continues. Big Whiteshell Lake, which is not controlled, is particularly low at this time. Lakes on the Winnipeg River are at close to average levels but significantly lower than in recent years.
• Lakes on the Pembina River system have declined to near normal. Logs will soon be placed at Rock Lake if dry weather continues and levels keep declining. Pelican Lake is at its target level.
• Large lakes such as Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis are at above average levels. Lake Winnipeg is at 714.7 feet and declining. Lake Manitoba is at 812.5 feet and is expected to remain near this level through July. Lake Winnipegosis is at its crest at 832.9 feet, which is unusually high and nearly a foot above the top of the desirable range. Minor shoreline flooding could occur on these lakes if strong winds develop. It is unusual for strong winds to develop during the summer time. With average or below average precipitation the large lakes should decline significantly by the autumn.
• Lakes along the Nelson River system are at well above levels, mainly due to high outflows from Lake Winnipeg. However the levels are lower than they were last summer and are declining.
• Levels along the Churchill River system and in many other areas of northern Manitoba are somewhat above average for this time of year.

Click on the following links to see the data/levels:

• Southern Lake Sheet
• Northern Lake Sheet