SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — As increased rainfall continues to sweep across Siouxland, all eyes are on the Iowa Great Lakes water levels.
According to data from Dakota County Emergency Management, Big Spirit Lake measured 15.52 feet on Wednesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, the water level is at 15.50 feet. The current record was set on July 4, 2018, at 15.97 and the historic record was clocked on July 18, 1993, at 18.79 feet.
USGS recorded West Okoboji Lake at 5.96 feet from May 29 to June 5 under the emergency mph rule.
After the historic flooding of 1993, high water caused shoreline erosion and bank collapses. To prevent further damage in the instance that lakes reached high levels again, county officials implemented a no-wake rule for boats. If water levels reach a certain threshold, an emergency 5-mph rule will go into effect for all lakes in Dickinson County. While the rule is in effect, boats are not allowed to exceed 5 mph within 600 feet of the shoreline so as to not create any wakes
The water level for the emergency 5 mph rule to go into effect at Big Spirit Lake is 16 feet, only 6 inches above the current level. Meanwhile for East and West Okoboji, the gage height being 5.69 feet Wednesday with 6.2 feet needed for the speed limit to go into effect.
To review the Dickinson County High-Water Plan, click here.
Wesley Thoene contributed to this report.