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Lake Minnetonka Water Levels

Lake Minnetonka water level:

Gray's Bay dam discharge:

View real-time Minnehaha Creek flows
Read more about lake and creek levels
Learn more about Gray's Bay Dam
Learn more about paddling Minnehaha Creek

Recreation Maps

Lake Minnetonka Map Minnehaha Creek Map

OPEN Paddle Minnehaha Creek

Paddling Minnehaha Creek

Canoe on Minnehaha Creek Minnehaha Creek flows 22 miles from Lake Minnetonka to Minnehaha Falls, winding through tranquil woodlands, expansive wetlands, dense urban landscapes, neighborhoods and scenic park land. Under the right conditions it affords paddlers a beautiful adventure through an urban wilderness.

Below is a variety of information on how to safely enjoy this iconic resource. MCWD provides this information but does not regulate recreation on the creek. These activities are undertaken at the users’ own risk.

What are the best conditions to paddle Minnehaha Creek?

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 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.

View Real-Time Minnehaha Creek Flow at Hiawatha Avenue

FLOW	CREEK CONDITION
Less than 75 cfs	Poor
75 cfs - 150 cfs	Good
Greater than 150 cfs	Dangerous

Please note that creek flow is different from dam discharge, as water runs into the creek from different sources like runoff, storm sewers, wetlands, etc throughout the length of the creek which impacts the flow.

Is it safe?

When the current is too fast, there is a higher chance of tipping the canoe or sustaining an injury. When it is too slow, you may find yourself doing a lot of portaging and hiking through the water! Consider the experience levels and abilities of those in your party and plan accordingly; use common sense and exercise caution. Watch for downed trees or other fallen objects that present navigational hazards

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OPEN Visit the Minnehaha Creek Greenway (Notice: Minnehaha Preserve Boardwalk Closed)

The Minnehaha Creek Greenway is a linear park in the heart of St. Louis Park and Hopkins. Featuring almost 1.5 miles of Minnehaha Creek, the Greenway is a natural oasis in an urban corridor.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, in partnership with the cities of Hopkins and St. Louis Park, restored this section of Minnehaha Creek; which was the most degraded stretch in the 22 mile-long system.

The Minnehaha Creek Preserve, located in St. Louis Park, is the jewel of the Minnehaha Creek Greenway. The Preserve is open to the public, and we encourage you to experience this quiet piece of nature in the midst of the suburbs.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) has closed the Minnehaha Preserve boardwalk and initiated a process to reconstruct the boardwalk to ensure public safety and the longevity of the facility. Work is likely to begin later summer 2022 following selection of a designer (Request for Proposals currently open). Although a date for reopening the boardwalk is not presently known, MCWD is exploring options for interim repairs to reopen the boardwalk in spring 2022 and will work closely with the City of St. Louis Park to update the community. Updates will be provided here as they are available.

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OPEN MCWD Photo Contest

The 2019 Earth Day Photo Contest is now closed. View the 2019 winners. Check back in the spring for info on the 2020 photo contest.

Earth Day Photo Contest

Our annual Earth Day Photo Contest is back! From South Minneapolis to Watertown Township, Laketown Township to Medina, we think our watershed is incredibly photogenic. There is endless beauty on and around the 129 lakes, eight major streams and thousands of wetlands within the MCWD, and we want to see how you capture it. We encourage you to submit pictures of you, your family, and your friends enjoying the resources our watershed has to offer.

First place winners in both categories will receive a $100 gift certificate to The Great Frame Up and will be featured in MCWD's annual report. First, second, and third place winners in both categories will be featured in MCWD's e-newsletter and on MCWD's website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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OPEN Send Us a Photo

Send the MCWD a photo from the district!

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OPEN Tour of the Watershed

There is a lot to see and do in the 178 square miles of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. This page introduces you to just a few of the many great places for recreation. Check them out and send us your own ideas and photos!

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OPEN Recreation, Water Quality and Water Level Information

Where Can I Find the Lake Level for Lake Minnetonka?

View the lake level for Lake Minnetonka.

Where Can I Find the Lake Levels for My Lake?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Lake Finder has a wealth of information for lakes throughout the state of Minnesota. Lake levels for many of the lakes is available.

What is the Flow of Minnehaha Creek at Hiawatha Ave (Minneapolis)?

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a real-time, automated staff gauge that measures the flow (discharge) and precipitation.

Can I Paddle Minnehaha Creek?
See the Paddle Minnehaha Creek web page.

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OPEN Water level update 7/23: Drought conditions cause Gray's Bay Dam closure

Gray’s Bay dam was closed on Wednesday, July 21, as required by the dam’s operating plan when Lake Minnetonka falls below 928.60 feet above sea level (“Zone 6” in the graphic below). The dam will remain closed unless the watershed receives enough rain to increase the lake level above 928.60 feet. The current level of Lake Minnetonka is 928.58 feet.

Gray's Bay dam with gates closed

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OPEN Winter and Spring Fish Kills

As the weather warms, have you noticed dead fish along the shoreline? Unfortunately, winter fish kills are an annual occurrence, especially when we've had cold winters with abundant snowfall. During the winter, some fish become trapped in shallow pools of water and are unable to move to deeper water or downstream. Underwater vegetation creates oxygen in the water through photosynthesis, however, during the winter, plants are not able to photosynthesize as much due to ice and snow cover. As a result, the shallow water where fish get trapped has low dissolved oxygen, making it difficult for some fish to survive.

Winter fish kills rarely result in the death of all fish in a lake and may even help naturally kill invasive common carp. Typically, wading birds and birds of prey will use the dead fish as a food source, and as the water levels rise in the spring, the fish will be carried downstream. Dead fish can also be buried or used as fertilizer. In general, fish kills will not have a significant negative impact on water quality. They can be reported to the Minnesota Duty officer at 651-649-5451.

If you find a fish kill of the same size and species in the spring, the cause is most likely disease related. As fish spawn and compete for food in shallow spring waters, they weaken their bodies and become more stressed, making them more susceptible to disease and infection. If the fish kill includes fish of different sizes and species, you should notify the Minnesota Duty officer at 651-649-5451.

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OPEN Blue-Green Algae FAQ

What Is It?

Blue-green algae is "algae" in name only – it is actually a "cyanobacteria" that can produce toxins harmful to people and animals. When water conditions are right, blue-green algae can bloom, covering areas of the water in a thick, dense mat. It is found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams.

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