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Water Levels: Lake Minnetonka and Gray's Bay Dam

Questions about water levels, canoeing, or the MCWD's operation of the Gray's Bay dam? Learn more about Gray's Bay Dam.

You can view real-time water level readings of Lake Minnetonka here and Minnehaha Creek here, as part of a partnership between MCWD and the U.S. Geological Survey. Please note, the USGS refers to creek flow as "discharge" on their site.

Ideal creek flows for paddling are between 75 and 150 cubic feet per second (cfs). We do not recommend paddling when the creek's flow is higher than 150 cfs. Conditions can change rapidly, especially after rainfall. We recommend using the real-time flow at Hiawatha Ave to gauge how fast the creek is flowing in the lower half of the creek, and the Gray's Bay Dam discharge to gauge how fast the creek is flowing in the upper half of the creek. Learn more about paddling the creek.

Follow Gray's Bay Dam on Twitter for regular updates on water level and dam discharge.

Most recent reading (November 20, 2018)
Lake Minnetonka: 928.54 feet | Gray's Bay Dam: 0 CFS
Date Lake Level (feet above sea level) Dam Discharge (cubic feet per second) Explanation
November 20, 2018 928.54 Dam closed The Gray's Bay Dam has been officially closed and winterized for the season. Lake level readings will resume Spring 2019.
November 19, 2018 928.55 Dam closed Gray's Bay Dam gates are currently closed due to reaching the desired ice-in level for the lake
November 16, 2018 928.56 Dam closed Gray's Bay Dam gates are currently closed due to reaching the desired ice-in level for the lake
November 14, 2018 928.55 Dam closed Gray's Bay Dam gates are currently closed due to reaching the desired ice-in level for the lake
November 13, 2018 928.54 Dam closed Gray's Bay Dam was closed due to reaching the desired ice-in level for the lake
November 9, 2018 928.64 50 Dam discharge was adjusted to 50 cfs as we are nearing the lake's ice-in level of 928.6 ft and dry weather continues to be forecast.
November 7, 2018 928.69 75 Dam discharge was increased to 75 cfs as we draw down the lake to the desired ice-in level of 928.6 ft.
November 5, 2018 928.65 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs ahead of forecast rain today 11/5 and tomorrow 11/6 as we continue to draw down to the ice-in level of 928.6 ft.
November 2, 2018 928.65 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs ahead of forecast rain Saturday 11/3 and Sunday 11/4 as we continue to draw down to the ice-in level of 928.6 ft.
October 31, 2018 928.67 50 Dam discharge was increased to 50 cfs ahead of forecast rain Sunday 11/4 as we continue to draw down to the ice-in level of 928.6 ft.
October 29, 2018 928.69 30 Dam discharge was increased to 30 cfs due to the lake level rising slightly from rain received over the weekend.
October 26, 2018 928.65 20 Dam discharge maintained as the lake is drawn down for the winter.
October 24, 2018 928.66 20 Dam discharge was decreased to 20 cfs as we are close to the desired ice-in lake level of 928.60 ft. Ice-in typically occurs approximately mid-November.
October 22, 2018 928.71 50 Due to storage gained in the lake over the weekend Dam discharge was lowered to 50 cfs as we continue to draw down to 928.6 prior to ice-in (approx. mid November).
October 19, 2018 928.79 100 Dam discharge increased to 100 cfs as we attempt to draw down the lake to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level. Dry weather continues to be forecast.
October 17, 2018 928.79 50 Discharge remains at 50 cfs as we attempt to draw down the lake to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level.
October 15, 2018 928.83 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs as we attempt to draw down the lake to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level.
October 12, 2018 928.84 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs as we attempt to draw down the lake to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level.
October 10, 2018 928.85 50 Dam discharge was adjusted to 50 cfs as we attempt to draw down to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level.
October 8, 2018 928.72 20 Dam discharge remains at 20 cfs. Forecast rainfall is 2-3" from Monday (10/8) through Wednesday (10/10).
October 5, 2018 928.73 20 Dam discharge was lowered to 20 cfs ahead of forecast 2-3" of rainfall from Monday (10/8) through Wednesday (10/10).
October 3, 2018 928.72 50 Dam discharge was increased slightly ahead of a possible 2" rain forecast for Monday 10/8 through Tuesday 10/9.
October 1, 2018 928.69 20 Dam discharge was lowered to 20 cfs as desired storage capacity has been reached on the lake and to create capacity in Minnehaha Creek.
September 28, 2018 928.84 50 Dam discharged was decreased at 4pm to create capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of predicted rain early next week.
September 26, 2018 928.88 150 Increased discharge to 150 cfs to create storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka ahead of 1-inch rain predicted early next week
September 24, 2018 928.86 75 Dam discharge was adjusted to 75 cfs as we attempt to draw down to 928.6 ft., which is the goal for ice-in level.
September 21, 2018 929.00 20 Dam discharge remains at 20 cfs Friday morning but will likely be raised at end of day Friday (9/21/18) after Minnehaha Creek levels have subsided to levels within its banks.
September 21, 2018 928.93 100 Dam discharge was increased to 100 cfs after creek levels subsided in order to gain back storage capacity on the lake.
September 19, 2018 928.69 20 Dam discharge was adjusted to 20cfs. Water levels will be re-assessed Friday (9/21) after predicted rainfall of approximately 3" from Wednesday (9/19) through Thursday (9/20). Discharge will likely be increased after creek levels subside.
September 17, 2018 928.64 12 Dam discharge was not changed. Water levels will be re-assessed on Wednesday morning ahead of significant predicted rainfall (Wed 9/19 - Thurs 9/20).
September 14, 2018 928.67 12 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecast.
September 12, 2018 928.72 12 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecast.
September 10, 2018 928.74 12 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecast.
September 7, 2018 928.79 12 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecast.
September 5, 2018 928.84 12 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecast.
September 4, 2018 928.78 12 Dam discharge will be re-assessed Wednesday (9/5) after Tuesday's 1-2" predicted rainfall.
August 31, 2018 928.82 12 Dam discharge will remain at 12 cfs. Water levels will be assessed on Tuesday after predicted rainfall this holiday weekend.
August 29, 2018 928.84 12 Dam discharge remains at 12 cfs. 12 cfs discharge is required whenever the lake level falls below 928.90 in the month of August in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during dry periods.
August 27, 2018 928.85 12 As the lake level has not risen above 928.90 ft. dam discharge will remain at 12 cfs (base flow).
August 24, 2018 928.79 12 Dam discharge will remain at 12 cfs through the weekend. Water levels will be reassessed on Monday (8/27) morning.
August 22, 2018 928.84 12 Dam discharge remains at 12 cfs. 12 cfs discharge is required whenever the lake level falls below 928.90 in the month of August in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during dry periods.
August 20, 2018 928.85 12 Dam discharged was lowered to 12 cfs. 12 cfs discharge is required whenever the lake level falls below 928.90 in the month of August in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during dry periods.
August 17, 2018 928.93 20 Due to a continued relatively dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 15, 2018 928.94 20 Due to a continued dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 13, 2018 929.02 20 Due to a continued dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 10, 2018 929.06 20 Due to dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 8, 2018 929.09 20 Due to a continued dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 6, 2018 929.10 20 Due to dry forecast, dam discharged will be maintained at 20 cfs in an attempt to keep flow in the creek during this dry period.
August 3, 2018 929.07 20 Dam discharge was not changed due to 1" predicted rainfall Saturday (8/4) into Sunday (8/5); water levels will be reassessed on Monday (8/6).
August 1, 2018 929.14 20 Dam discharge was not changed as no significant rain is forecasted.
July 30, 2018 929.15 20 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecasted.
July 27, 2018 929.20 20 Dam discharge was not changed as dry weather continues to be forecasted.
July 26, 2018 929.23 20 Dam discharge was decreased due to predicted dry weather
July 25, 2018 929.25 75 Dam discharge was not changed due to nearly a half inch of predicted rain today (7/25).
July 23, 2018 929.29 75 Dam discharge was decreased due to predicted dry weather
July 20, 2018 929.36 150 Dam discharge was increased to gain back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka after receiving approximately a half inch of rain Thursday (7/19).
July 18, 2018 929.38 50 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining storage capacity on Minnehaha Creek ahead of approximately 1.5" of forecast rain Thursday (7/19) into Friday (7/20).
July 17, 2018 929.40 50 Dam discharge was decreased as forecast rainfall from Wed night (7/18) through Friday (7/20) may total approximately 2.5 inches.
July 16, 2018 929.45 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka.
July 13, 2018 929.52 150 Dam discharge was not changed to gain back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka after Thursday (7/12) night rainfall.
July 11, 2018 929.45 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka.
July 9, 2018 929.50 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka.
July 6, 2018 929.54 150 Dam discharge was not changed in advance of predicted dry weather to continue gaining back storage capacity in Lake Minnetonka.
July 5, 2018 929.57 150 Dam discharge was not changed to gain back storage capacity in Lake Minnetonka after recent rain events.
July 3, 2018 929.56 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka after recent rain events and in advance of more than a half inch predicted Wednesday and Wednesday overnight (7/4-7/5).
July 2, 2018 929.60 150 Dam discharge was increased to gain back storage in Lake Minnetonka after weekend rain.
June 29, 2018 929.39 75 Dam discharge was not changed in advance of 1.5" of predicted rainfall this coming weekend to gain storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek
June 28, 2018 929.40 75 Dam discharge was decreased in advance of approximately 1.5" of forecast rainfall Saturday (6/30) overnight into Sunday 7/1 to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek.
June 27, 2018 929.41 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka ahead of this weekend's forecast rain.
June 26, 2018 929.41 150 Dam discharge was increased to gain back storage on Lake Minnetonka after rainfall on Monday (6/25) and Tuesday (6/26)
June 25, 2018 929.35 75 Dam discharge was not changed in order to provide storage capacity in the creek for predicted rainfall this Monday evening (6/25) into tomorrow (6/26)
June 22, 2018 929.38 75 Dam discharge lowered at end of Friday to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek in anticipation of approximately 1" predicted rainfall Monday 6/25/18 overnight into Tuesday 6/26/18.
June 20, 2018 929.41 100 Dam discharge was decreased due to predicted dry weather
June 18, 2018 929.43 150 Dam discharge was increased to gain back storage on Lake Minnetonka after recent rainfall.
June 15, 2018 929.29 50 Dam discharge was not changed in order to provide storage capacity in the creek for predicted rainfall
June 14, 2018 929.29 50 After gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka dam discharge was decreased due to the predicted rainfall Sunday (6/17) and Monday (6/18) to reduce flows in Minnehaha Creek.
June 13, 2018 929.33 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka ahead of this weekend's forecast rain.
June 12, 2018 929.35 150 Dam discharge was temporarily increased to gain storage in Lake Minnetonka ahead of 1-3" of predicted rainfall Friday pm (6/15/18) through Monday pm (6/18/18)
June 11, 2018 929.28 75 Dam discharge was not changed due to predicted rain
June 8, 2018 929.33 75 Dam discharge was decreased after gaining back storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka
June 6, 2018 929.38 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka ahead of forecasted rain.
June 4, 2018 929.42 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka ahead forecasted rain.
June 1, 2018 929.46 150 Dam discharge was not changed to continue gaining back storage on Lake Minnetonka after recent rainfall events.
May 30, 2018 929.51 150 Dam discharge was increased to gain back storage on Lake Minnetonka after rainfall on May 28-29
May 29, 2018 929.38 100
May 25, 2018 929.41 100
May 23, 2018 929.33 20
May 21, 2018 929.32 20
May 18, 2018 929.31 20
May 16, 2018 929.39 125
May 14, 2018 929.40 125
May 11, 2018 929.39 125
May 9, 2018 929.44 100
May 7, 2018 929.45 100
May 4, 2018 929.51 250
May 3, 2018 929.53 250
May 2, 2018 929.54 250
April 30, 2018 929.51 200
April 27, 2018 929.48 200
April 25, 2018 929.47 200
April 23, 2018 929.43 100
April 20, 2018 929.37 100

* Flow taken at McGinty Road because water levels were too high to measure at Gray's Bay dam

You can view lake levels from 1906 to 2012 either as an Excel Spreadsheet or a graph.
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