Gray’s Bay Dam Closed
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) closed Gray’s Bay Dam on October 17, 2025, as Lake Minnetonka’s level neared its natural runout elevation, in accordance with the Dam’s operating plan.
Water Levels Steadily Declined During October 2025
The watershed received below-normal precipitation during the month of October, leading to a steady decline in water levels throughout the month. Minnehaha Creek at Hiawatha Avenue was flowing at nearly 140 cubic feet per second (cfs) on October 1 and ended the month at approximately 19 cfs. The Lake level peaked at 928.9 feet at the beginning of the month and fell to 928.54 feet by October 31.
From late summer through fall, the Dam’s operating plan calls for the Lake level to be lowered toward its natural runout elevation of 928.6 feet, which provides capacity for spring snowmelt, reducing flood potential on both the Lake and Creek. Each year as the Lake level nears its natural runout elevation, MCWD closes the Dam, so the Lake remains near this level in advance of stoplog installation and winter ice-in.
The Dam will remain closed unless the watershed receives enough precipitation to raise the Lake above its natural runout elevation. MCWD will continue to evaluate water levels, along with short- and long-term forecasts, to determine Dam operations and stoplog installation, in preparation for ice-in.
also in this update
- 2025 Precipitation Trends and Forecasts
- October 2025 Rainfall was Below Normal, but the Watershed Remains Out of Drought
- Current Water Levels
- Gray’s Bay Dam Operations
- Water Level Resources