Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District
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Posts tagged "low flow"

Low-flow gate open

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - March 10, 2020 - News, Prior Lake

The low flow gate on the Prior Lake Outlet Structure was fully opened this week to provide some extra storage on Prior Lake as we head into the spring melt season.

The low flow gate operates best when the lake level is between 902.0 and 903.0 and is managed based on the District’s outlet operations policy which is approved by the DNR. For more information on the outlet structure and the low-flow gate check out the StoryMap on our website here.

View Full Article Low Flow Gate, Lower Prior Lake, Prior Lake, Prior Lake Outlet, Prior Lake Outlet Structure, low flow, low-flow gate, outlet structure

Low-Flow Gate to be Opened

Posted by Jaime Rockney - March 1, 2019 - News
Opening the Low-Flow Gate

The Prior Lake Outlet Structure’s low-flow gate is scheduled to be opened next Tuesday, March 5. The low-flow gate’s primary purpose is to lower lake levels and create more storage on the lake for snow-melt and spring rains when risk of flooding is anticipated. The DNR has pre-approved the District to open the low-flow gate in March and April if necessary.

The Prior Lake Outlet Structure automatically stops discharging when the lake level drops below 902.5 feet.  When the low-flow gate is open, lake levels can drop slightly faster and to (no lower than) 902.0 feet.  Rain, snowmelt, and flow from upstream lakes may prevent the lake from dropping or getting this low before the end of April.  When the lake is above 903’, the low-flow gate is ineffective as the outlet pipe is limiting the amount of flow leaving the lake. Current lake levels can be found here. 

Open water at Outlet Structure in winter because outlet is flowing

The Outlet Structure has been discharging water continuously since September 2018.  Even though the lake is frozen, the water at the Outlet does not freeze when levels are above 902.5’ because the water is moving quickly.  Lake levels have been relatively steady because the amount of water flowing in from Spring Lake and other tributaries has been relatively equal to the amount leaving Prior Lake. By opening the low-flow gate now, the amount of water leaving the lake should be more than coming in so the lake should slowly drop. Please note, the low-flow gate does NOT prevent flooding, but may reduce the severity of flooding.  For more interesting information, pictures, and videos about the Outlet Structure and low-flow gate, please view this StoryMap here.

View Full Article Low Flow Gate, low flow

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Prior Lake – Spring Lake Watershed District

The District covers about 42 square miles in Scott County, MN. Water in the PLSLWD flows mainly from the southwest to the northeast through Spring, Upper Prior and Lower Prior Lakes, and then north through the Prior Lake Outlet Channel to the Minnesota River near Valley Fair amusement park.
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Prior Lake - Spring Lake Watershed District
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372

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