Weekend Storm Hits Southern MN
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted the potential for up to 4 inches of precipitation between Thursday and Saturday in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. This significant forecast placed parts of Minnehaha Creek at risk of flash flooding, and Lake Minnetonka had the potential to rise above its emergency spillway, flowing uncontrolled into the creek.
By the end of Saturday, the watershed had only received about 1.5 inches of rain, still a considerable amount but less than half of what had been forecasted. Some parts of Minnehaha Creek experienced out of bank conditions due to already high water levels and saturated soils, but Lake Minnetonka remained below the emergency spillway.
The bulk of this storm shifted south of the Twin Cities, largely hitting Waterville, Mankato, Owatonna, and Austin, where some communities received up to 8 inches of rain over the weekend and experienced significant flooding. Some residents in these communities evacuated their homes due to flooding and a damaged dam, leading Governor Tim Walz to declare a peacetime emergency for the area.
also in this update
- Water Levels Rose with Weekend Rain
- 2024 Precipitation Trends and Forecasts
- Current Water Levels
- Gray’s Bay Dam Operations
- Water Level Resources