Lake Levels and Slow-No-Wake Restrictions

Lake levels fluctuate, primarily in response to changes in precipitation (rain and snow). Fluctuations of lake levels are important to document. Chisago County staff and volunteers regularly monitor lake levels in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District and Chisago countywide.

Lakes that exceed the Ordinary High Water Level (OHW) are subject to the Chisago County Slow No-Wake ordinance restrictions, which temporarily restricts boat speeds within 300 feet of shore during high water conditions.  There is also permanent low boat speeds in many channels connecting lakes under the Slow No-Wake ordinance.

OHW is an elevation delineating the highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient period of time to leave evidence upon the landscape, commonly the point where the natural vegetation changes from predominantly aquatic to predominantly terrestrial.  Please visit the MN Department of Natural Resources website for more information regarding OHW.