Weekly Drought Update - August 9, 2021
Key Messages in this Update
- Drought situation:
- As of August 3, 97% of the state is in Moderate Drought (D1) or worse, 79% of the state is in Severe Drought (D2) or worse and 35% is in Extreme Drought (D3).
- The DNR is operating in the Drought Warning Phase of the Statewide Drought Plan Matrix.
- Streamflow situation:
- 35 out of 81 total major surface water watersheds are below the minimum flow (Q90) threshold, including seven watersheds that dropped below their respective Q90 thresholds this week. Three watersheds have experienced increased flows and are now above the Q90 threshold after being below in the previous week.
- Fire danger situation:
- As of August 5, burning restrictions are in place throughout central and northeastern Minnesota. Permits are still required in all counties.
- As of August 5, fire danger is high over much of the northwestern counties.
- Lake Level situation:
- All ten of the selected lakes decreased from the previous week, from 0.24 to 2.16 inches.
- Six of the ten lakes remain in the low or below normal range.
- Four lakes remain in the normal range.
Drought Information
Last two weeks of Drought Maps:
Link to the maps.
Drought Analysis:
- Counties in exceptional drought (D4): 0
- Counties in extreme drought (D3): More than 50
- Counties in severe drought (D2): More than 70
- Counties in moderate drought (D1): All counties except one have at least some moderate drought or worse.
- Counties just abnormally dry (D0 – not drought): 1
- Estimated population in Drought Areas: 5,157,923
Streamflow Information
Link to the map.
Streamflow Analysis:
- Watersheds at minimum flow (below Q90): 35, including seven new watersheds dropping below their respective Q90 this week: Lake Superior - North (No. 1), Mississippi River – St. Cloud (No. 17), Mississippi River – Metro (No. 20), Mississippi River – Lake Pepin (No. 38), Grand Marais Creek – northwestern MN (No. 67), Snake River – northwestern MN (No. 68), Tamarac River (No. 69). Increasing above Q90 this week are 3 watersheds, including: Minnesota River - Shakopee (No. 33), Bois de Sioux River (No. 54), Mustinka River (No. 55).
- Watersheds at low flow: 19 watersheds are experiencing low flow.
- Watersheds at normal flow: 25 watersheds are experiencing normal flow conditions.
- Watersheds at high flows: No watersheds are experiencing high flows.
Fire Danger
Link to the maps.
Fire Danger Analysis:
(Fire danger conditions can change daily, based on local meteorological variables. Information presented illustrates a real-time snap shot of current conditions on August 8)
- Counties with Extreme Fire Danger: 0
- Counties with Very High Fire Danger:0
- Counties with High Fire Danger: Over 20
- As of August 5, no fires are allowed on DNR managed lands in 28 counties and additional restrictions exist in 21 counties.
- As of August 5, 2021, fire danger is high over much of the northwestern counties.
- As of August 5, 2021, burning permits are still required in all counties. Burning restrictions are in place in central and northeastern Minnesota.
- See Superior National Forest webpage for current fire information.
Lake Water Levels
Sample Lake Level Analysis
- All ten of the selected lakes decreased from the previous week, from 0.24 to 2.16 inches.
- Four of the ten lakes remain in the normal range
- Six lakes are in the low or below normal.
- Shell Lake in Decker County reported its lowest lake level.
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