RPBCWD staff install water level sensors on all 13 lakes within the district to monitor water quantity and assess yearly historical water level fluctuations. The pressure sensors are mounted inside a protective PVC pipe attached to a post in the water or a radar is mounted to a post and deployed over the lake surface. A staff gauge is also mounted to the post to help staff determine water surface elevation.

Lake level data is used in computer modeling for stormwater and floodplain analyses and used to determine zooplankton grazing rates. The data is also shared with cities and submitted to the DNR.

Not suprisingly, precipitation has an impact on lake levels. Precipitation data from Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie and the National Weather Service Station in Chanhassen is included in lake level reporting.

For more information, read the Water Resources Report.