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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 (September 16, 2019)
Lake Minnetonka: 929.39 feet | Gray's Bay Dam: 150 CFS
Date Lake Level (feet above sea level) Dam Discharge (cubic feet per second) Explanation
September 16, 2019 929.39 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek
September 13, 2019 929.47 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek
September 12, 2019 929.39 150 At 7 P.M. dam discharge was increased to 150 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek
September 11, 2019 929.23 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs ahead of 2-3 inches of forecast rain from today (9/11) through Friday morning (9/13).
September 9, 2019 929.16 50 Dam discharge reduced to 50 cfs ahead of significant rainfall, up to 4 inches, predicted Monday (9/9) through Friday (9/13).
September 6, 2019 929.23 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs as we continue to gain storage capacity on Lake Minnetonka
September 4, 2019 929.30 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs to regain storage capacity after recent rain events. The forecast remains dry.
September 3, 2019 929.35 150 Dam discharge increased to 150 cfs to regain storage capacity after recent rain events.
August 30, 2019 929.36 100 Dam discharge reduced to 100 cfs as Lake Minnetonka has regained storage capacity and the forecast remains dry.
August 28, 2019 929.45 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs to regain storage capacity after recent rain events.
August 27, 2019 929.47 150 Dam discharge increased to 150 cfs to create storage capacity in the lake as Monday's rain caused the lake to jump 1.4 inches.
August 26, 2019 929.35 75 Dam discharge remains at 75 cfs to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of nearly an inch of rain predicted today 8/26.
August 24, 2019 929.38 75 Dam discharge reduced to 75 cfs to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of 1.25 inches of rain predicted for 8/26
August 23, 2019 929.41 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs to regain storage capacity after recent rain events. Dam discharge may be reduced Friday afternoon pending rainfall forecasts for Aug. 26.
August 22, 2019 929.45 150 Dam discharge increased to 150 cfs to regain storage capacity after recent rain events.
August 21, 2019 929.48 100 Dam discharge remains at 100 cfs after 1.4 inches of rainfall occurred across the upper watershed Tuesday (8/21) morning. Minnehaha Creek flows remain higher than dam discharge due to recent rainfall and draining wetlands along the length of the creek.
August 20, 2019 929.50 100 At 2 pm this afternoon dam discharge was increased to 100 cfs after 1.4 inches of rainfall occurred across the upper watershed this morning.
August 19, 2019 929.38 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs. Minnehaha Creek flows remain higher than dam discharge due to recent significant rainfall, and draining wetlands and floodplains along the length of the creek.
August 16, 2019 929.25 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs. Minnehaha Creek is experiencing high flows this morning after last night's rain.
August 14, 2019 929.23 50 Dam discharge remains at 50 cfs. Minnehaha Creek flows remain higher than dam discharge due to recent rainfall, and draining wetlands and floodplains along the length of the creek: https://tinyurl.com/y3jrdyrv
August 12, 2019 929.23 50 Dam discharge reduced to 50 cfs as the forecast continues to be dry.
August 9, 2019 929.27 75 Dam discharge remains at 75 cfs. Minnehaha Creek flows remain higher than dam discharge due to draining wetlands and floodplains along the length of the creek.
August 7, 2019 929.35 75 Dam discharge reduced to 75 cfs due to a dry forecast. Minnehaha Creek flows are expected to remain around 150 cfs due to draining wetlands and floodplains along the creek.
August 5, 2019 929.29 75 Dam discharge remains at 75 cfs. Minnehaha Creek flows remain higher than dam discharge due draining wetlands and floodplains along the length of the creek.
August 2, 2019 929.34 75 Dam discharge reduced to 75 cfs due to a dry forecast. Creek flows are expected to remain around 150 cfs due to draining wetlands and floodplains along the creek.
July 31, 2019 929.39 100 Dam discharge reduced to 100 cfs as Lake Minnetonka has reached the Ordinary High Water level (929.40 ft.) and the forecast remains dry.
July 29, 2019 929.49 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs. The dam operating plan allows a maximum dam discharge of 150 cfs whenever the lake is between the elevations 929.10 – 929.60 in July.
July 26, 2019 929.50 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs. The dam operating plan allows a maximum dam discharge of 150 cfs whenever the lake is between the elevations 929.10 – 929.60 in July.
July 24, 2019 929.56 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs as Lake Minnetonka is at 929.56. The dam operating plan allows a maximum dam discharge of 150 cfs whenever the lake is between the elevations 929.10 – 929.60 in July.
July 22, 2019 929.60 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs as Lake Minnetonka is at 929.60. The dam operating plan allows a maximum dam discharge of 150 cfs whenever the lake is between the elevations 929.10 – 929.60 in July.
July 19, 2019 929.60 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs to create storage in Minnehaha Creek. The forecast remains unsettled this weekend with one inch of rain predicted, however, localized thunderstorms could produce heavier rainfall totals.
July 17, 2019 929.63 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs in an effort to create storage in Minnehaha Creek as it is currently running bank full. The unsettled forecast from Wednesday through Wednesday night is for an inch of rain, and possibly more, in localized thunderstorms.
July 16, 2019 929.65 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs as Minnehaha Creek is currently running bankful. The unsettled forecast from Tuesday through Wednesday night is for an inch of rain, and possibly more, in localized thunderstorms.
July 15, 2019 929.57 150 Lake Minnetonka has fallen below 929.60 feet which requires the dam discharge to be reduced to a maximum of 150 cfs.
July 12, 2019 929.66 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs as we continue to draw the lake down to 929.6 ft. MCWD anticipates the lake level will recede minimally this weekend due to high dew points.
July 10, 2019 929.75 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs as we continue to draw the lake down to 929.6 ft. during a dry and increasingly warm forecast over the next several days.
July 8, 2019 929.73 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs as storage continues to be gained on the lake and to balance the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
July 5, 2019 929.77 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
July 3, 2019 929.77 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
July 2, 2019 929.78 250 Dam discharge increased to 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
July 1, 2019 929.63 200 Dam discharge adjusted to 200 cfs in an effort to mitigate the inflows to Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while balancing the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
June 28, 2019 929.55 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs. MCWD anticipates the lake level will recede minimally this weekend due to high dew points.
June 26, 2019 929.59 150 Lake Minnetonka has fallen below 929.60 feet which requires the dam discharge to be reduced to a maximum of 150 cfs.
June 24, 2019 929.65 250 Dam discharge adjusted to 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
June 21, 2019 929.65 200 Dam discharge remains at 200 cfs as storage continues to be gained on the lake and in an effort to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek, which is currently running bank full, ahead of over 0.50-inch of forecast rain through the weekend.
June 19, 2019 929.67 200 Dam discharge reduced to 200 cfs in an effort to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek, which is currently running bank full, ahead of over 0.50-inch of forecast rain June 21-22.
June 17, 2019 929.75 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs as storage continues to be gained on the lake and to balance the carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek. As water levels have steadily begun to recede, lake elevation measurements will resume a M-W-F schedule.
June 14, 2019 929.83 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs as storage continues to be gained on the lake and to create capacity in the creek ahead of forecast rain this weekend.
June 13, 2019 929.85 250 Dam discharge adjusted to 250 cfs as storage continues to be gained on the lake and to create capacity in the creek ahead of forecast rain this weekend.
June 12, 2019 929.88 300 Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to gain storage in Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
June 11, 2019 929.93 300 Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to gain storage in Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
June 10, 2019 929.96 300 Lake Minnetonka has dropped just below the emergency spillway allowing MCWD to regain control of the discharge. Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs on Monday 6/10/19.
June 9, 2019 929.99 300 Lake Minnetonka has dropped just below the emergency spillway allowing MCWD to regain control of the discharge. Dam discharge is set to 300 cfs to take advantage of a mostly dry 7-day forecast.
June 7, 2019 930.06 318* The lake level is approximately 0.72 inches above the spillway. *Creek flow measured Friday 6/7 at the McGinty Road culverts is 318 cfs,
June 6, 2019 930.09 321* The lake level is approximately 1.08 inches above the spillway. *A new Creek flow measurement will be taken at the McGinty Road culverts on Friday 6/7.
June 5, 2019 930.12 321* The lake level is approximately 1.44 inches above the spillway. *Creek flow measured at the McGinty Road culverts is approximately 321 cfs.
June 4, 2019 930.12 330* The lake level is approximately 1.44 inches above the spillway. *The creek is flowing at approximately 330 cfs at the McGinty Road culverts. A new flow reading will be measured on Wednesday.
June 3, 2019 930.14 330* The lake level is approximately 1.68 inches above the spillway. *The creek flow was measured at 330 cfs this morning (6/3) at the McGinty Road culvert.
May 31, 2019 930.22 347* Lake Minnetonka is approximately 2.64 inches above the emergency spillway. MCWD staff measured 347cfs flow at the McGinty Road culverts along Minnehaha Creek.
May 30, 2019 930.22 335* Lake Minnetonka is approximately 2.64 inches above the emergency spillway. MCWD staff measured 335 cfs flow at the McGinty Road culverts along Minnehaha Creek.
May 29, 2019 930.20 317* Lake Minnetonka is approximately 2.4 inches above the emergency spillway. Tuesday (5/28) at 3 pm, MCWD staff measured 317 cfs flow at the McGinty Road culverts. Another reading will be taken Thursday.
May 28, 2019 930.18 317* Lake Minnetonka is approximately 2 inches above the emergency spillway. MCWD staff will measure flow at the McGinty Road culverts later this morning.
May 26, 2019 930.05 300 The lake level is slightly over 930 ft. and a small amount of water is trickling over the emergency spillway north of the dam. The dam remains operational and discharging at a rate of 300 cfs.
May 24, 2019 929.99 300 Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 23, 2019 930.05 300 The lake level is slightly over 930 ft. and a negligible quantity is trickling over the emergency spillway north of the dam. The dam remains operational and discharging at a rate of 300 cfs.
May 22, 2019 929.97 275 Dam discharge increased to 275 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 21, 2019 929.92 250 Dam discharge increased to 250 cfs as the Minnehaha Creek headwaters wetland has storage capacity and in effort to mitigate upper streams inflow to the lake while balancing carrying capacity in Minnehaha Creek continues.
May 20, 2019 929.93 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 19, 2019 929.88 225 At 2:45 pm dam discharged was increased to 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 17, 2019 929.81 75 Dam discharge remains at 75 cfs to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of 2.5 inches of rain being forecast Friday PM (5/17) through Sunday PM (5/19).
May 16, 2019 929.86 75 Dam discharge remains at 75 cfs to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of 3 inches of rain being forecast Saturday (5/18) through Monday (5/20).
May 15, 2019 929.80 75 At 4:30 PM dam discharge was reduced from 300 cfs to 75 cfs to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek ahead of 3 inches of rain being forecast Saturday (5/18) through Monday (5/20).
May 13, 2019 929.83 300 Dam discharge increased to 300 cfs to take advantage of dry weather ahead of more than an inch of rain forecast Friday (5/17) through Sunday (5/19).
May 10, 2019 929.87 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 9, 2019 929.87 250 Discharge raised to 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 8, 2019 929.68 150 Dam discharge was decreased to 150 cfs in an effort to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek, ahead of an increased forecast of 1.5 inches of rain over May 8-9.
May 7, 2019 929.75 200 Dam discharge was decreased to 200 cfs in an effort to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek, which is currently running bank full, ahead of 1 inch of rain forecast rain May 8-9.
May 6, 2019 929.79 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to gain storage in Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
May 3, 2019 929.85 250 Dam discharge remains at 250 cfs to create storage at the Minnehaha Creek Headwaters wetland due to the wetland and Lake Minnetonka nearing the same elevation.
May 1, 2019 929.87 250 Dam discharge temporarily reduced to 250 cfs to create storage at the Minnehaha Creek Headwaters wetland due to the wetland and Lake Minnetonka nearing the same elevation.
April 29, 2019 929.88 300 Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to gain storage in Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 26, 2019 929.96 300 As minimal rain is forecast discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 25, 2019 929.97 300 As minimal rain is forecast discharge remains at 300 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 24, 2019 929.99 300 Dam discharge remains at 300 cfs on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Water levels will be re-assessed tomorrow morning ahead of Saturday's forecast rain.
April 23, 2019 929.99 300 Dam discharge raised to 300 cfs as the forecast is dry through Friday.
April 22, 2019 929.99 250 Discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 21, 2019 929.95 250 Discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 19, 2019 929.98 250 Discharge remains at 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.
April 18, 2019 929.98 250 Dam discharge raised to 250 cfs in an effort to mitigate inflow to Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 17, 2019 929.86 150 Discharge remains at 150 cfs. Water levels will be assessed after today's rain.**
April 16, 2019 929.87 150 Dam discharge increased slightly to 150 cfs as forecast rain for Wednesday (4/17) and Thursday(4/18) has decreased to 0.5-1 inch.**
April 15, 2019 929.85 125 Dam discharge reduced to 125 cfs in an effort to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek, which is currently running bank full, ahead of 1- 1.5 inches forecast rain April 17-18**
April 12, 2019 929.87 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 11, 2019 929.77 225 Due to most of the precipitation being forecast as snow the dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 10, 2019 929.76 225 Due to most of the precipitation being forecast as snow, the dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek**
April 9, 2019 929.78 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 8, 2019 929.78 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek**
April 7, 2019 929.78 225 Dam discharge increased to 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek
April 5, 2019 929.68 150 Dam discharge remains at 150 cfs ahead of over a half inch of rain being forecast from Saturday (4/6) through Sunday (4/7) to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek.**
April 4, 2019 929.67 150 Dam discharge was decreased to 150 cfs ahead of a half inch of rain being forecast over Saturday (4/6) and Sunday (4/7) to create storage capacity in Minnehaha Creek.**
April 3, 2019 929.69 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 2, 2019 929.70 225 Dam discharge remains at 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
April 1, 2019 929.70 225 Dam discharge increased to 225 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
March 29, 2019 929.69 200 Dam discharge remains at 200 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
March 28, 2019 929.70 200 Discharge was increased to 200 cfs in an effort to mitigate continued inflow into Lake Minnetonka while trying to balance the maximum carrying capacity of Minnehaha Creek.**
March 27, 2019 929.64 150 Discharge raised to help mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka but also to moderate flow into Minnehaha Creek in an effort to balance the water budget across the entire watershed.**
March 25, 2019 929.58 100 Dam discharged was increased to 100 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams and snowmelt and because water levels in Minnehaha Creek have leveled off.**
March 24, 2019 929.55 100 Dam discharged was increased to 100 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams and snowmelt and because water levels in Minnehaha Creek have leveled off.**
March 22, 2019 929.45 50 Gray's Bay Dam is discharging 50 cfs in an effort to mitigate water coming into Lake Minnetonka from upper streams and snowmelt.**
March 21, 2019 929.40 50 The dam was opened now that the threat of spring flooding and ice jams on Minnehaha Creek has subsided to moderate the amount of water flowing into Lake Minnetonka from its upper streams.**

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

** Unofficial Lake Minnetonka water level reading due to ice still on the lake

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