This was an unusual year in terms of water levels on Big Basswood Lake.

The spring and early summer was quite wet with average to above average snowmelt and early summer rainfall. The water levels water levels were average to above average through mid July. Please see the attached graphs which show water levels at the Harris Creek Dam monitoring station.

However, the situation changed noticeably in mid July - the remainder of the summer was hot and dry with minimal rainfall. This coincided with the MNRF aggressively working to eliminate water flow in Harris Creek beginning on July 21st . This was necessary to facilitate construction on the Highway 17 culverts. Not only was the dam shut down but sand bags were placed on top of the wing wall to eliminate any spillage around the dam. Any water that did make it through was pumped around the culverts by the GIP construction crew.

This diversion lasted until mid October when the normal flow was resumed in Harris Creek.

You'll note the result of this shut down in the accompanying graphs comparing 2024 and 2025. The mid to late summer and early fall water levels were a bit higher than the average from the previous year. This was because no water at all was exiting through Harris Creek, the only water loss would have resulted from evaporation. Because it was hot and dry, there was a fair bit of evaporation or the water levels would have stayed higher.

No further stoppages of flow in Harris Creek are anticipated so water level cycles should return to normal beginning next spring.