Central Minnesota Avoids Flooding Thanks to Drought in the Northern Part of State

(KNSI) – Moderate flooding is building on the Minnesota River after Wednesday’s downpour.

The Sauk and Mississippi Rivers near St. Cloud are running high, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, but remain well below flood stage. One of the reasons for that can be found in this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor Report.

As of Tuesday morning, moderate drought was still prevalent near the headwaters of the Mississippi in Cass, Hubbard, and Wadena Counties. From there, the great river whirls east into abnormally dry areas like Itasca, Aitkin, and Crow Wing Counties. The ground remained abnormally dry through Brainerd and extended into Morrison County.

The Mighty Mississippi was ready to handle the two inches of rain that fell throughout central Minnesota. On the flip side, some western communities recorded over four inches. It fell on the Minnesota River Valley, which was already at normal soil moisture, careening down bluffs into the waterway.

That surge of water on already saturated ground bloated the river as it leaked through Watson and Granite Falls. It is creating moderate flooding in the areas of Beaver Falls, Morton, and Redwood Falls. The flooding is projected to last until next week.

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