Twin Cities Paddlers May Want to Avoid Minnehaha Creek

Twin Cities paddlers may want to avoid Minnehaha Creek for the next few weeks.

With 2016 on track to be the wettest year on record in the Twin Cities and more rain in the forecast, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is actively managing water levels on Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek.

Because of fast-moving water in Minnehaha Creek, local officials recommend against paddling on the creek at this time, according to a news release.

Rapids, downed trees, debris and low bridge clearances all pose hazards for paddlers when the creek is flowing quickly.

As of Sept. 6th, Lake Minnetonka’s water level is 929.54 feet above sea level, which is about six inches higher than desired for this time of year.

In an effort to lower the lake level without impacting downstream communities, the District is discharging water at a rate of 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Lake Minnetonka into Minnehaha Creek.

At 200 cfs, the creek still has room for runoff from additional rain that’s in the forecast through September 7th. The discharge will likely be increased to 250 cfs later this week as the forecast is calling for dryer weather.

The goal is to lower Lake Minnetonka to the desired level of 928.6 prior to ice-in, which allows room for the spring snow melt.

Due to the wet trend that’s in the long-term forecast for the Twin Cities, water levels on the creek will likely remain high for the next several weeks as officials work to draw down Lake Minnetonka before winter.

MCWD is coordinating with the National Weather Service, Hennepin County Emergency Management and local communities on the high water response.

Image: Hafiz Issadeen via Flickr /Creative Commons