(KNSI) – Much of Minnesota went into the winter in a drought. So far, snowfall has been above average but it is unclear if that will end up being beneficial.
Area Hydrologist James Bedell, whose district covers Sherburne and Wright Counties, explains.
“It really depends on what our spring looks like. If we get a really quick snowmelt then we’re gonna see a lot of that snowmelt flushing into the rivers and lakes, which is great for our lakes but for your soil moisture and crops, that’s not going to be such a benefit.”
Bedell says two consecutive years of drought are starting to leave their mark across his region.
“We’re starting to see some stress in our water table aquifers, where they’re starting to decline. There will be some stress in your wetlands. Some of that will start seeing some invasive species encroachment, potentially.”
Sherburne and Wright Counties were hardest hit in the area as far as drought is concerned. In 2022, Benton County was mostly spared of even abnormally dry conditions. Stearns saw moderate drought at worst.
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