Drought Continues to Decline in the North, Flooding Affecting Southern Minnesota

(KNSI) – Moderate drought has finally relinquished its hold on the headwaters region.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows the area is still abnormally dry, which is a full stage lower in severity. Moderate to severe drought still lingers in Lake of the Woods, Roseau, and Kittson Counties.

Currently, 37% of Minnesota remains affected by dry conditions, with less than 5% experiencing a drought. It comes even after several rounds of soaking rains, which were a direct hit on central Minnesota. There are no local issues with drought, but flooding is becoming a problem. The Crow Wing and Minnesota Rivers have sloshed over their banks, and the Sauk River is running extremely high, just below flood stage.

Kayakers had to be rescued recently after becoming tangled in tree limbs. Some of the kayaks floated away and had to be recovered later. Luckily, the eight people on the river were all able to get to shore safely and call for help. Lakes in Stearns and Meeker Counties have a no-wake restriction in place to help tamp down concerns over shoreline erosion.

With the headwaters being abnormally dry rather than drought-stricken, the next burst of heavy rain will likely come our way via runoff from tributaries and streams into the Mississippi River. Until now, it had been soaked up by the ground. Depending on how long we have to wait for the next set of storms, it could increase flood risks locally if they arrive in the coming weeks.

Abnormally dry conditions return down near the Iowa border in southwest Minnesota.

___