Birch Lake Winter Drawdown

Birch Lake Winter Drawdown Notification

WINTER DRAWDOWN SCHEDULED.  The annual winter drawdown for Birch Lake is scheduled October 1st, 2026 through October 15^th, 2026.  Water levels will be dropped 6 inches from the normal summer target elevation of 1231.0 to the winter target elevation of 1230.5.  Water levels will be kept at the winter target elevation until all of the ice melts in the spring.  AS OF 8-27-2026 WATER LEVELS ARE AT 1230.68 DUE TO THE ONGOING DROUGHT.   WATER LEVELS WILL BE BROUGHT DOWN TO THE WINTER TARGET ELEVATION BY OCTOBER 15^TH.   UNLESS THE AREA GETS SIGNIFICANT RAIN, EXPECT WATER LEVELS TO STAY LOW THROUGH THE DRAWDOWN PERIOD.  IF THE DROUGHT CONTINUES, WATER LEVELS MAY DROP BELOW THE WINTER TARGET LEVEL TO KEEP MINIMUM FLOW DOWNSTREAM.  PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

Brian Danielsen, P.E. Washburn County Highway Commissioner