MINNESOTA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Minnesota has over 15,000 lakes and reservoirs, with the largest being Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, and Lake Vermilion. These reservoirs are primarily fed by streams and rivers such as the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Red River. Snowpack in the northern part of the state is crucial for maintaining water levels in these reservoirs during the dry summer months. However, drought conditions can negatively impact water levels, as was the case in the summer of 2021 when Lake Minnetonka recorded its lowest water level in 80 years. The hydrology of the area is influenced by the state's geography, which includes rolling hills and flat plains. Seasonal trends include high water levels in the spring due to snowmelt and lower levels in the summer months. Overall, reservoirs and dams play an important role in providing water for agriculture, industry, and recreation in Minnesota.

Minnesota has over 15,000 lakes and reservoirs, with the largest being Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, and Lake Vermilion. These reservoirs are primarily fed by streams and rivers such as the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Red River. Snowpack in the northern part of the state is crucial for maintaining water levels in these reservoirs during the dry summer months. However, drought conditions can negatively impact water levels, as was the case in the summer of 2021 when Lake Minnetonka recorded its lowest water level in 80 years. The hydrology of the area is influenced by the state's geography, which includes rolling hills and flat plains. Seasonal trends include high water levels in the spring due to snowmelt and lower levels in the summer months. Overall, reservoirs and dams play an important role in providing water for agriculture, industry, and recreation in Minnesota.