Watson — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Decision on Lac qui Parle Lake Dam
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, said it will keep the gates open at the Lac qui Parle Lake Dam to lower reservoir levels and reduce the risk of damage from high flows.
Reasons for Water Release
Persistent rainfall and elevated inflows prompted the decision to release water from the lake. Corps water managers said the controlled outflow is intended to prevent the reservoir from rising above safe limits.
Current and Forecasted Conditions
On Aug. 21, the reservoir was forecast to reach about 940 feet in elevation, with operations expected to push out roughly 8,000 cubic feet per second at the peak. Officials noted the lake level should drop gradually this week if additional rainfall remains limited.
Emergency Spillway and Potential Flooding
The emergency spillway sits at 941.3 feet, and releases were increased to avoid the possibility of overtopping. Those releases will send more water into the Minnesota River and could cause localized flooding in nearby areas.
Downstream Flood Conditions
Downstream, the Minnesota River was r...