As drought conditions continue in parts of the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is carefully monitoring the situation and taking steps as outlined in the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan.
Regarding the overall situation in Minnesota, the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, Aug. 11 shows:
17% of Minnesota is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, down from 20% last week
8.5% of the state is in moderate drought, down from 10% last week
3% is in severe drought, down from 4% last week
The current U.S. Drought Monitor map for Minnesota is available on the drought page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Climate/Drought).
A significant portion of the severe drought zone is in the seven-county Twin Cities Metro Area. The DNR continues to recommend that water users and water suppliers in the affected watersheds consider voluntary measures to reduce water use, such as limiting lawn watering. During drought, water resources are particularly stressed and water conservation measures
(mndnr.gov/Waters/WaterMgmt_Section/Appropriations/Conservation.html) are especially important.
As a result of the prolonged precipitation deficits and increased temperature averages over much of southern Minnesota, the following watersheds are now in the Drought Watch Response Phase as provided for in the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan:
Minnesota River Watershed
Croix River Watershed
The DNR recognizes that other watersheds are experiencing dry conditions, but those conditions do not necessitate any response actions at this time.
To date, the DNR has not issued any restrictions on water appropriations due to low streamflow. Some streams have been experiencing low flows but not to a degree and duration that has created a need to suspend water appropriation permits.
The DNR has taken the following actions, in accordance with the Statewide Drought Plan:
Notified the Statewide Drought Task Force about drought conditions
Updated the drought page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Climate/Drought)
Notified public
