Weather Service Warns of Serious Spring Flood Threat

The potential for spring flooding in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota is serious—that’s according to the National Weather Service’s spring flood forecast.

“The remaining snowpack contains a lot of moisture and the ground underneath the snowpack is saturated,” said Dan Luna, the service's chief meteorologist in Chanhassen. 
“The water is just sitting on the ground and not flowing into the system.”

Minnetonka isn't immune to the threat. According to engineered models, high water levels around Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek are predicted this spring. That means there is potential for severe flooding, depending on how quickly the snow melts and the amount of rainfall in the coming months.

Officials from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management are meeting with state agencies and county emergency managers to, they say, ensure all levels of government understand the risk and take appropriate steps to prepare local communities.

“We’re doing more, earlier,” said Kris Eide, Minnesota Homeland Security director. “We are asking communities to look at how their community might be impacted and what their needs might be at various trigger points.”

Minnetonka is doing just that. The city falls within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District—a geographic area encompassing 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. 

“We have put together a map of drainage areas that could be problematic and are checking those areas to make sure that they function properly,” said Minnetonka Public Works Director Brian Wagstrom. “We have re-supplied our stock of sand bags.”

Minnetonka’s most flood-prone zones are the low-lying areas around Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek. Watershed district officials encourage homeowners in those areas to consider flood insurance.

“As warmer temperatures approach, we encourage all property owners to...be prepared to manage the risks that come along with spring in Minnesota,” said Watershed District Administrator Eric Evenson.

In coming weeks, both Wagstrom and Minnetonka Spokesperson Jacque Larson are participating in local meetings aimed at assessing the flood threat to Minnetonka and the city’s readiness to react.

"Likely, there will be some items that will come out of the meetings that will need to be done," Wagstrom said.