Gray’s Bay Dam Winterized
In coordination with the City of Minnetonka Public Works, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) installed stoplogs at Gray’s Bay Dam on Thursday, November 25, 2025, to winterize and close the Dam for the season, in accordance with the operating plan.
MCWD closed the Dam in October when Lake Minnetonka’s level neared its natural runout elevation, to reduce spring flood potential on the Lake and Minnehaha Creek by maintaining capacity for snowmelt. As temperatures dropped to near freezing, the Dam was winterized to protect it from ice damage. Stoplogs will remain installed until Spring 2026 conditions allow for removal.
November Water Levels Declined as Winter Weather Arrived
Water levels continued to steadily decline throughout November as the seasons changed, with the Twin Cities receiving just under 1 inch of precipitation, which was about 0.7 inches below the month’s normal total. Nearly all of the month’s precipitation came during the last week of November, as part of the region’s first winter storms of the season, which produced about 8 inches of snow in the Twin Cities.
The end-of-month storms briefly elevated water levels. The Lake level increased about 2 inches, peaking at 928.51 feet, and Creek flow at Hiawatha Avenue increased to approximately 25 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Wednesday, November 26, before levels receded. Currently, the Lake is recorded at 928.36 feet, and the Creek is flowing at approximately 10 cfs.
MCWD will continue to monitor weather conditions and water levels throughout the Winter and Spring, to determine 2026 stoplog removal and dam opening.
also in this update
- 2025 Precipitation Trends and Forecasts
- To-date Rainfall Remains Below Last Year’s Total
- Current Water Levels
- Gray’s Bay Dam Operations
- Water Level Resources