• A photo of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.

    Board releases 2024 Annual Report

    Please click here for the Board's 2024 Annual Report.

    2024 Annual Report
  • A photo of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.

    Board releases 2024 Annual Report

    Please click here for the Board's 2024 Annual Report.

    2024 Annual Report
  • Photo of Upper Sault Access, Rainy River, Minnesota

    Roles and Responsibilities in the Basin

    Learn more about key roles and responsibilities for the binational management of water levels in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed.

    View infographic
  • Photo of Upper Sault Access, Rainy River, Minnesota

    Roles and Responsibilities in the Basin

    Learn more about key roles and responsibilities for the binational management of water levels in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed.

    View infographic
  • rainy water levels committee

    Citizen Science Can Help Prepare for Future Flooding in Rainy-Lake of the Woods

    Learn how individuals in the basin can help inform water management decisions.

    Find Out More

International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (the Board) was created in January 2013, from an amalgamation of the International Rainy Lake Board of Control and the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board, with added water quality responsibilities for the broader Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed. The Board was formed to assist with binational coordination of water quality efforts for the entire transboundary watershed and to ensure compliance with the Commission’s Order on the regulation of water levels on Rainy Lake and the Namakan Reservoir.
 

About the Board

Roles and responsibilities in the basin

Water levels in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed are managed binationally by multiple entities in the US and Canada.

Find out who does what

High water forecast information

Latest flood forecasts and guidance, updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:

 Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Floods page

 U.S. National Weather Service Rainy River Basin page

Latest News Releases

News Release
Date
July 28, 2025
The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) will host an in-person public meeting at the Herb Lamppa Civic Center in Tower, Minnesota on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM (CDT). The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (the Board) was created in...
News Release
Date
April 22, 2025
The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) Water Levels Committee (WLC) will host a follow-up virtual information session on Thursday May 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CDT. This session will be an update to the March 4 information session. The WLC initiated a Spring Regulation Plan...
News Release
Date
March 10, 2025
The  International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC) established an initial spring regulation plan for Rainy and Namakan Lakes on March 10, 2025. This plan is issued in accordance with a Temporary Supplementary Order issued by the International Joint...
News Release
Date
May 19, 2023
Higher than normal stream flow conditions continue in the headwaters of the Rainy River watershed due to the high spring snowmelt runoff in the eastern headwaters working its way through the Rainy River basin, including flows into the Namakan Chain of Lakes and Rainy Lake. The Water Levels Committee...

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RLWWB news releases and notices

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