Low River Flow Prompts St. Cloud Dam Shutdown, More Restrictive Watering Measures in City

(KNSI) – For the first time in 33 years, St. Cloud’s Hydroelectric Generation Facility has shut down production due to low water flow on the Mississippi River.

The city of St. Cloud says river flows near the city have dropped below 700 cubic feet per second, prompting the dam facility’s first required shut down since 1988.

In response, the city of St. Cloud says it’s now requiring residents and businesses who use city water to only water lawns once a week. Residents should only water their lawns on their designated garbage pickup day, and businesses should only water on Saturdays or Sundays. Gardens, flower beds, and new shrubs and trees are exempt from the restriction if they are watered by hand.

The city says city water users found to be in noncompliance will receive a warning notice, and if it continues, a violation notice and fine could be issued.

While St. Cloud’s water use restriction applies only to city water users, the city says it highly encourages area residents that use other water sources to abide by the restrictions in order to conserve water.

“According to the DNR, the area needs at least 5 to 8 inches of rain over a 3-week period to alleviate the current drought conditions,” reads a City of St. Cloud news release.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, the entire St. Cloud area is currently facing extreme drought conditions.

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