ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, updated the forecast for reservoirs in northern Minnesota including Big Sandy Lake, near McGregor Minn.
Big Sandy Lake is currently at elevation 1222.8 feet. The lake is expected to crest between elevation 1223.0 and 1223.5 feet on Friday. The gates at the dam are fully open; however, high stages on the Mississippi River hamper outflow from the lake.
Pokegama Lake is currently at elevation 1275.9 feet. During high water events, the Corps balances impacts to the city of Aitkin, Lake Pokegama, and Big Sandy Lake. Inflows to Lake Pokegama are more than 3,000 cubic feet per second or cfs while outflows are being held to 350 cfs to balance the system. The pool is expected to crest over the weekend between elevation 1276.5 and 1277.0 feet.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood risk reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $181 million to the five-state district economy. The 700 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
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Release no. 12-075