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   Low water levels in the greater Longville area are already causing concerns for watercraft users as they did at the end of last summer. There are many factors that affect our water levels. Officials from Cass County and the Department of Natural Resources have stated that those factors include: (1) the lake level at the time the ice goes out (impacted by the amount of winter snow), (2) area precipitation in the spring, summer and early fall, (3) the amount of water flowing in from the Boy River, and (4) and, precipitation in the greater Boy River Watershed. 

   As of late February 2026, about 30% of Minnesota is experiencing drought conditions. An additional 32% is abnormally dry (drought.gov). In Cass County this year the total precipitation from January through March was the driest since 1985. The total precipitation was 2.07 inches, which was 0.67 inches below normal (drought.gov). As of May 5, 2026, Cass County was dry throughout with 14.3% abnormally dry and 85.7% in moderate drought. And, since November of 2021, Minnesota has experienced abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions (data.ydr.com). 

   Closer to home in our chain of lakes, since August 6, 1957, 923 water level readings have been recorded for Child Lake. The highest level recorded was 1324.5 feet (above sea level) on June 23, 2012, and the lowest was 1322.26 feet on October 22, 2025. This historic range of lake levels fluctuated 2.24 feet. On May 6, 2026, the water level was 1322.35 feet, which is approximately one inch above the lowest level.

   Since May 2, 1989, 1491 water level readings have been recorded for Woman Lake. The highest recorded was 1324.23 feet on June 23, 2012, and the lowest was 1322.26 on August 6, 2007. This historic range of lake levels fluctuated by 1.97 feet. On May 6, 2026, the level was 1323.02. feet which is nine inches above the lowest level.

   DNR records for Woman Lake dating back to 1991 demonstrate an average summer water level drop of 10”. Occasionally the lake level drops 15 or more inches, including as recently as 2021. Obviously, a drop in the lake level greater than anticipated when docks and boat lifts are installed in the spring will have consequences.

   Since February 28, 1935, lake levels in Girl Lake have been recorded 411 times. The highest was 1325.02 feet on July 2, 1953, and the lowest was 1321.8 feet on February 28, 1935. The historic range of lake levels fluctuated by 3.22 feet. The lake level on May 6, 2026, was 1322.95 feet which is approximately one foot and two inches above the lowest level. The height of the dam at the top of the newly installed Rock Arch Rapids, which was installed to facilitate the movement of fish between the Boy River and Girl Lake, is 1322.6 feet.

   Ten Mile Lake, the headwaters of the Boy River in Cass County, was at its lowest level ever recorded on 5-6-2026, at 1376.79 feet.

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