(KNSI) – The drought in central Minnesota saw no change last week.
In data that covers through Tuesday morning, the drought severity and coverage index did not change for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright Counties. Possible values for the DSCI range from 0 to 500. The index goes up when an area slips into each successive stage of drought, up to D-Four, or exceptional drought.
Benton County registers the least at 52 as roughly half the county is dry. Wright County is hardest hit at 252. All of the county is in at least moderate drought. 42% is in severe drought and another 10% is in extreme drought.
About two-thirds of Sherburne County is in moderate drought, or D-1, the mildest category. Western and southern Stearns County is also in a moderate drought.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says residents should make an effort to conserve water when possible but it is not required this time of the year, as demand is lower with colder weather. Sprinkler systems are not needed as one example of how water becomes less precious with the turning of the seasons.
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