For those of you who are knowledgeable of this sort of thing and the tendencies based on snow pack and water content, what are the odds of water being as high as last year or even close once all the snow goes away? Realize that spring rainfall amounts also play into it but assuming normal to slightly higher than normal rain, what do you think conditions might be like? I know that last year numerous entries were flooded as well as portages and some campsite photos I saw showed the site and the fire grate underwater.

We enter May 25 to LIS 14 entry point - if water is much higher than normal are there any implications for that entry and route I should be aware of?

Thx for the intel.

I can't say that I'm all that knowledgeable but what I saw on LLC last year was impressive. In 2022, I headed into Takucmich from LIS put-in. Water levels were high all along that route with the lower half of the portage into that last lake up by an estimated 8 feet over the year before. The "guide" portage out of Snow Bay was flooded on both ends with the eastern terminus under several feet of water and shortened by about 50 (?) feet.

The bottom line for me is that I fully expect flooding in the BWCA this May when I head in....either Sag/Granite river or another LLC trip as my first "shakeout" trip.

As a post script, if you enter LIS north, I think you'll see a flooded put-in with some good rapids coming out of the falls there. The portage on the way in will likely be a bit shorter and depending on your route, Devils Cascade should be rockin' but passable.

lindylair: "For those of you who are knowledgeable of this sort of thing and the tendencies based on snow pack and water content, what are the odds of water being as high as last year or even close once all the snow goes away? Realize that spring rainfall amounts also play into it but assuming normal to slightly higher than normal rain, what do you think conditions might be like? I know that last year numerous entries were flooded as well as portages and some campsite photos I saw showed the site and the fire grate underwater.

We enter May 25 to LIS 14 entry point - if water is much higher than normal are there any implications for that entry and route I should be aware of?

Thx for the intel. "

Went that route same time period last year. Route was completely fine. We did however, use the 40r portage from lower paun to upper paun instead of the short SE port as we were told there were sizable rapids. Unless the water levels exceed last year, this route was fantastic despite the high water.

I'll be going in the same point a couple days prior, the 21st. I carry an in-reach and would be happy to text you what it looks like after I get in if you'd like. Email for contact if interested.

Ace, appreciate the offer. I will email you my cell phone # but is there really any cell phone coverage up there? Long ways from anywhere. Appreciate any intel, not really worried about it, more just curious. Wondering if high water might actually be in our favor and allow us to float over any beaver dams? Have a great trip, love to hear any info you might have.

NVM, i just reread and saw that you have an InReach to send info. duh.

Lindy - I also went in EP 14 last year (May 22 in, out May 27). No issues on the route other than a couple portages being extra wet at the start/end. I took it slow when approaching and stayed close to portage side bank before the LIS and Devils Cascade and at no point did I feel at risk or the conditions were unsafe. Watching the water blasting through LIS rapids, Devils Cascade, and the waterfall out of Ge-be as I portaged by were absolute highlights!

Enjoy!!!

Mapmaker: "Lindy - I also went in EP 14 last year (May 22 in, out May 27). No issues on the route other than a couple portages being extra wet at the start/end. I took it slow when approaching and stayed close to portage side bank before the LIS and Devils Cascade and at no point did I feel at risk or the conditions were unsafe. Watching the water blasting through LIS rapids, Devils Cascade, and the waterfall out of Ge-be as I portaged by were absolute highlights!

Enjoy!!!"

The LIS rapids itself near the 2nd portage were fantastic last May!

I drove up to the Stony today just outside of Ely. It was mostly open and about 2-3 feet lower than last year when it opened up. It looked like normal spring levels.

Water levels in the BW should be just fine.

Thanks for the great info everyone!! If anything changes please let me know.

By late May the water from the melt is well on its way to Hudson Bay and unless we get lots of rain you should have normal water levels. It only takes a brief period of time (a week or so) for the basin to drain.