Gray’s Bay Dam Closed
Amid drought conditions, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) closed Gray’s Bay Dam on Monday, August 24, 2026, as Lake Minnetonka’s level fell below its natural runout elevation, in accordance with the Dam’s operating plan. The last time the Dam was closed mid-season was in July 2023, when summer precipitation was among the driest on record across the state.
Water levels across the watershed have steadily declined over the past month, due to below-normal precipitation that also led to moderate drought conditions for the first time since October 2024. With minimal precipitation in the near-term forecast, August 2026 is on track to be one of the driest Augusts on record in the Twin Cities, according to historic data from the MNDNR.
Given these dry conditions, the Dam has discharged the minimum rate allowed since May, to balance evaporation rates on the Lake while providing base flow to Minnehaha Creek for as long as possible. Once the Lake level reaches its natural runout elevation of 928.6 feet, the operating plan requires MCWD to close the Dam. Currently, the Lake is sitting at 928.58 feet, and the Creek is flowing at 3 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Hiawatha Avenue.
In accordance with the operating plan, the Dam will remain closed unless the watershed receives enough precipitation to raise the Lake level above its natural runout elevation. MCWD will continue to evaluate water levels, along with short- and long-term forecasts, to determine Dam operations that align with the plan’s goals.
Also in this update
- 2026 Precipitation Trends and Forecasts
- August 2026 could be one of the Twin Cities’ driest on record
- Current Water Levels
- Gray’s Bay Dam Operations
- Water Level Resources