The most recent Water Level reading was 980.27 on 5/9/2008 (east bay gauge)
The initial water level this year, as surveyed by the MN DNR crew setting the water level gauges, was 980.15 on 4/30/08
FEMA 100 year flood level 981.20
Ordinary High Water Level 979.90 (revised from 979.50 as of 10/13/2003 - Minnesota DNR OHWL study in.pdf)
The ordinary high water level (OHWL) is a reference point that defines the DNR's regulatory authority over development projects that are proposed to alter the course, current, or cross section of public waters and public waters wetlands. For lakes and wetlands, the OHW is the highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient period of time to leave evidence upon the landscape. The OHWL is commonly that point where the natural vegetation changes from predominately aquatic to predominantly terrestrial. For watercourses, the OHWL is the elevation of the top of the bank of the channel. For reservoirs and flowages, the OHWL is the operating elevation of the normal summer pool. The OHWL is also used by local units of government as a reference point from which to determine structure setbacks from water bodies and watercourses. See also legal definition under Hydrographics Program.
For more information on determining OHWL please see "Guidelines for Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) Determinations".
Highest Level this year 980.31 on May 6, 2007
Highest Level ever recorded 982.40 on June 28, 2002
Lowest level this year 980.15 on April 30, 2008
Lowest level ever recorded 977.78 on August 10, 2007
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Lake Sarah Water Levels Charts
Chart of 2008 Lake Levels
New! Charts comparing water levels by month from 1999 to present (click on the month to view chart). April , May , June , July , August . Thank you to Fred Lang for our water level charts!
Comparison Chart Water Levels 2002-2008
Chart of 2007 Lake Levels , Chart of 2006 Lake Levels , Chart of 2005 Lake Levels , Chart of 2004 Lake Levels , Chart of 2003 Lake levels , Chart of 2002 Lake levels , Historic Lake levels chart
Chart of 2002 - present lake levels
(Fred Lang is the genius behind the charts above - Thanks Fred!)
A special thank you to Cindy Keating and Fred Lang for providing the water level readings for the MN DNR, the lake association, and to this website. Cindy monitors the primary gauge in the west bay, Fred monitors the backup gauge in the east bay. Lake Level Minnesota is a program in which volunteers and cooperative organizations collect and report lake levels throughout the state. Each spring, DNR Waters employees travel throughout the state to reset and survey lake gages. These gages are used to measure the change in water levels throughout the open water season. This lake level information is gathered in DNR Waters' Lakes Database (Lakes DB).
Map / depth survey Lake Sarah (.pdf)
Map and description of Lake Sarah Watershed (.doc)
USGS topographic map from the TopoZone
Historic levels, maps, vegetation and fish survey information can be accessed on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website
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New Buoy installed off North Shore Drive. Mike Peterson spoke with Tony Brough at Henn Cty. Environmental Services regarding the rockpile near North Shore Drive. Tony did a depth survey of the rockpile off Wise's on North Shore Drive and determined a new buoy would be appropriate. Tony has installed the new buoy lakeward of the danger area, (see the purple circle on the map). Tony will remove and reinstall the danger buoy annually. He also mapped out the existing rock pile with the 3 danger buoys already in place using GPS and map overlays to verify proper placement and update their records. His map can be viewed by clicking here (in .pdf format - Adobe acrobat reader required). He mentioned that the best way for Hennepin County to react to such hazards in the future is for people that "discover" them to report the incident to the Henn. County Sheriff Water Patrol (952)471-1300 |
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