The Low Flow Gate on the Prior Lake Outlet Channel was closed on January 8, 2016 at 2:00 pm after the Prior Lake level reached 902.45 feet. The Low Flow Gate was originally opened on December 21, 2015 as a result of unseasonably high lake levels. Prior to the opening of the Low Flow Gate, Prior Lake was at 902.91 feet and water was cascading over the Prior Lake Outlet Structure. The goal of opening the Low Flow Gate was to increase upstream storage space and to release extra water from the lakes in order to free up space to hold spring snowmelt.