Potential for High Water
As of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting between 2 and 2.5 inches of rain across the Minnehaha Creek Watershed Wednesday, June 24, through Thursday, with the most intense rain falling Wednesday. The storm’s heaviest rain is projected to fall south of the Twin Cities as a front develops along the Minnesota-Iowa border; however, instability in the atmosphere may cause it to track further north.
Following storms earlier this month, MCWD adjusted Gray’s Bay Dam discharge to 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) on June 13, in accordance with Zone 4 of the operating plan, to regain storage on Lake Minnetonka, while balancing flows in Minnehaha Creek. If the watershed receives this week’s forecasted rainfall, the Lake is expected to rise and may reach 929.6 feet, at which elevation the Dam is operated in Zone 1 and discharging maximum creek capacity, based on the operating plan. Depending on the amount and intensity of precipitation received in the lower watershed, parts of the Creek could achieve or exceed bank-full conditions.
As the forecast evolves, MCWD will continue to evaluate water levels, along with short- and long-term outlooks, to determine discharge rates that balance water levels and align with the operating plan’s goals.
also in this update
- 2025 Precipitation Trends and Forecasts
- Current Water Levels
- Gray’s Bay Dam Operations
- Water Level Resources