Lake users should expect to see the water levels of Rainy and Namakan Lakes begin to rise in April.

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board’s Water Levels Committee says dam operators are being directed to keep levels within the middle of the range established for the spring season.

The move is to accommodate for spring runoff from lakes and rivers that flow into the Rainy Lake basin.

The lakes’ levels were near the top of the range in December and January but dropped off with drier-than-normal conditions this winter.

Seasonal forecasts indicate warmer than normal temperatures but a 50-50 chance of above-normal precipitation.

Officials say they will continue to monitor conditions and precipitation forecasts and take further action to regulate the lakes’ levels as required.