The water level of Lake Winnipeg will drop significantly

People who have been to Lake Winnipeg over the long weekend may have noticed that it was different than usual.

Water levels will drop significantly as drought conditions continue for a second year.

“It's down about three feet from where it used to be,” said Richard Bjarnason, a commercial fisherman on the lake since 1962.

Lake users aren't the only ones who notice the stark difference.

Peter Kilcollins, who lives near the lake, said it was much lower than in previous years.

“The water moves with the wind, and when we get a southerly wind, it empties the basin. It was all a stone's throw over the weekend,” Kilcollins said.

Two years ago, the water level in Lake Winnipeg was significantly higher.

“Water was always coming here. I rebuilt the fire pit eight times,” Kicollins recalled.

Manitoba Hydro uses the flow of water from Lake Winnipeg to generate electricity. A spokesperson told CTV News Winnipeg that Hydro is dealing with drought conditions in the watershed starting in the spring of 2023 due to low rainfall.

They noted that the volume of water entering the system in the basin is below the norm for this time of the year.

However, the spokesperson said the lake level has risen by about 20 centimeters since it reached about 217 meters in early April.

“I'm sure we'll be fine,” said David Olson, another fisherman in the area.

He's confident more water is coming, and last year was an anomaly.

“(Canada's drainage system for Lake Winnipeg is very good. If there's water in Alberta, we'll get it at a moment's notice, and we'll get it soon.”

Manitoba Hydro said recent rainfall has helped and said its export commitments will be met.