White Bear Lake levels over the years

White Bear Lake’s water levels have fluctuated over the years. The decline in the 1980s coincided with a drought. A judge found in 2017 that groundwater pumping was a cause of the more recent declines.

Average monthly elevation readings, 1980-2019 (in feet above sea level)

Chart: Raymond Grumney, Star Tribune Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; United State Geological Survey Get the data