Important messages for this week:
- Prior Lake level appears to have crested at just over 903.9’ and should slowly decrease
- Spring Lake level continues to decrease
- Dry conditions are expected to continue for the next several days
- The City does not sell sand bags or provide free sand when Prior Lake is below 903.9’
The City of Prior Lake, in accordance with its Flood Response Policy, has initiated several flood response measures in response to high spring water levels on Spring Lake and Prior Lake. While lake levels are currently decreasing, the City remains prepared to initiate additional measures if lake levels again increase and hit certain trigger points. Although the watershed snowpack is now almost completely melted, water continues to work its way into the Spring Lake/Prior Lake system. Prior Lake appears to have crested at a level of about 903.93’ and should slowly decrease as water discharges out the Prior Lake Outlet Channel. Prior Lake levels can be found on the PLSLWD website.
Even though lake levels are headed down, if your property is located in a lower area and you feel you need to protect it at this time, sandbags are still being sold at the Prior Lake Maintenance Center (17073 Adelmann Street SE), Monday – Friday, 7:00 to 3:30. The cost is $0.25/each which is our cost from the supplier. Free sand for the sand bags is also still available to residents at the Maintenance Center. Sand bag sales and free sand will be discontinued when Prior Lake drops below 903.9’ as stated in our Flood Response Policy. If you plan on sandbagging to protect your property and wish to use this sand, please take only what you need to fill your sandbags and hand-shovel it from the bins (please do not use mechanical equipment).
City of Prior Lake and Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD) staff continue to monitor local conditions, including precipitation and lake levels, to assess flooding risk. According to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen, the weather outlook and the potential for precipitation is the biggest wild card every year and weather conditions are the main spring flood driver.
Just a reminder regarding flooding news throughout the state – media reports have been focusing mainly on river systems which have been cresting at historic levels and may see secondary crests as the last of the snow melts from their upper watersheds. The watershed above our lake system is much smaller than the river basins currently experiencing flooding problems (only about 30 square miles) and is mostly snow-free.