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High-Water FAQ

Water Levels and River Flows

Last updated: Sunday, October 6, 2024 as of 11:15 AM

St Louis River Basin
  Current Flow (cfs) Reservoir Current Elevation Summer Target Current Flow (cfs)
Alden Lake Island Lake 1368.81
Knife Falls Dam Boulder Lake 1390.55
Scanlon Dam Fish Lake 1351.72
Thomson Dam Rice Lake 1375.57
    Whiteface 1452.92
Total discharge for St. Louis River from the Reservoirs      
Mississippi River Basin
  Current Flow (cfs)
Prairie River Dam
Pillager Dam
Sylvan Dam
Blanchard Dam
Kawishiwi River Basin
  Current Elevation Current Flow (cfs)
Birch Lake Reservoir
White Iron Lake
Temporarily out of service
Garden Lake Reservoir  
Kawishiwi Falls  

*Please note: Current flow for the generating stations includes the total flow through the dam plus the flow through the turbines. The two exceptions are the Thomson Dam and Prairie River Dam which display the flow through the dam into their bypass reaches. Due to the unpredictable nature of stream flow, reservoir elevations, and periodic technical difficulties, Minnesota Power cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information displayed.

24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-582-8529

e-mail contact


2024 Thomson Dam Recreational Releases

  • July 13-14
  • July 27-28
  • August 10-11
  • August 31-September 1

Releases are expected to be approximately 700 cfs.
For the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.


Minnesota Power’s parent company, ALLETE, has entered an agreement to be acquired by a partnership led by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners and start the process to become a private company.

This transaction will not change our operations, strategy or shared purpose and values, and it is business as usual for all of us at Minnesota Power. Learn more at www.ALLETEforward.com.