Drought in Minnesota

Drought is defined as a period of abnormally dry and/or unusually hot weather sufficiently prolonged for the corresponding deficiency of water to cause a serious hydrologic imbalance.

When a serious hydrologic imbalance occurs, soil moisture reserves, groundwater supplies, lake levels and stream flows are negatively impacted. Water-dependent industries including agriculture, public utilities, forestry and tourism are profoundly affected.

Some degree of drought occurs in Minnesota nearly every year. The 2021 drought was the most severe in Minnesota since at least 1988.

Careful stewardship of Minnesota's water resources is always important. During drought, water resources are particularly stressed and water conservation measures are especially important.

Current drought conditions in Minnesota

The DNR is carefully monitoring and taking steps as outlined in the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan.

^{(Note: reload/refresh browser to ensure the current map is displayed.}^{This webpage is updated each Friday from March through October during active drought.)}

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, Sept. 21 shows that nearly all of Minnesota is experiencing some degree of drought, with most of Minnesota experiencing severe or extreme drought.

5.5% of Minnesota is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
31% of the state is in moderate drought, decreased from 37% last week.
38% of Minnesota is in severe drought, decreased from 42% last week.
23% of the state is in extreme drought, increased from 18% last week.
3% of Minnesota is in exceptional drought, increased from 1% last week (see special note below).

Drought management actions

Drought conditions intensified across Minnesota over the past week, with areas of extreme and exceptional drought expanding. The expansion of exceptional drought in the southeast part of the state has resulted in two watersheds (Upper-Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon and Upper-Minnesota-Maquoketa-Plum) reaching the trigger for the Drought Emergency Phase (additional information is below). The Mississippi River continues to experience low flows. The Mississippi River Headwaters watershed may be able to avoid entering the Drought Restrictive Phase if cooler conditions and precipitation come with the start of fall. The Minnesota DNR is taking a number of actions (described below), consistent with the Statewide Drought Plan and statutory water use priorities. We are also coordinating closely with other agencies and water users and communicating broadly about the importance of water conservation.

Special Note regarding Exceptional Drought and the Drought Emergency Phase

Exceptional drought is occurring in portions of Aitkin, Carlson and Pine counties in east-central Minnesota and in Filmore, Houston, Freeborn and Mower counties in southeastern Minnesota. The exceptional drought in southeastern Minnesota encompasses most of the Minnesota portion of the Upper-Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon and Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum watersheds. Exceptional drought in the east-central portion of the state is straddling three different watersheds (Mississippi Headwaters, Western Lake Superior and St. Croix). Conditions in the Upper-Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon and Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum watersheds have triggered the Drought Emergency Phase. After consultation with public water suppliers and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the DNR believes that most emergency actions for this phase contemplated under the Statewide Drought Plan are not needed at this time. The exception is that public water suppliers in the watershed must maintain implementation of mandatory water use reductions (e.g., non-essential outdoor water use, lawn irrigation, building power washing, and car washing, or other demand reduction measures outlined in their water supply plans). Public water suppliers will be reminded of this requirement via email on Friday, Sept. 22. The DNR will continue to review conditions in the affected areas.

The Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan (PDF) applies drought phases to the twelve river basin watersheds in the state (HUC4 level).

Drought Emergency Phase:

Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum (new)
Upper Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon (new)

Drought Restrictive Phase:

Upper Mississippi-Black-Root (continuing)

Drought Warning Phase:

Minnesota River (new)

Drought Warning Phase:

St. Croix (continuing)
Mississippi Headwaters (continuing)
Missouri-Big Sioux (continuing)
Western Lake Superior (continuing)
Red River (continuing)

Drought Watch Phase:

Rainy River (continuing)
Des Moines River (continuing)
Missouri-Little Sioux (continuing)

While their watershed is in the Drought Warning Phase, public water suppliers are required to implement water conservation measures, with the goal of reducing water consumption to no more than 150% of January levels. For watersheds in the Drought Restrictive Phase, public water suppliers are required to implement water conservation measures, with the goal of reducing water consumption to no more than 125% of January levels. Water users located in watersheds in the Drought Emergency Phase should began thinking about how they would respond to a critical water shortage emergency.

Drought conditions typically lead to increased irrigation for crops, lawns and athletic fields, which leads to additional strain on Minnesota’s water resources. Moderate drought (D1) is characterized by dry soil conditions, stressed crops, and lower than average river and lake levels. Severe drought (D2) is characterized by much lower-than-average river and lake levels hard ground and a higher potential for severe impacts on agriculture. Extreme drought (D3) may result in early harvest of corn and increased risk of wildfires. In exceptional drought (D4), early harvest of corn and emergency haying and grazing are typical, surface waters are near record lows and wildfires may be widespread.

Well interference

The well interference webpage provides information on what to do if you run out of water and the formal complaint process.

Stream flow

Stream flow maps and tables are updated each Monday and summarize stream flow conditions throughout Minnesota.

Surface water appropriations are contingent upon stream flows in the HUC8 level watersheds (as opposed to the larger HUC4 watersheds that are used for Drought Phase specification). Link to the streamflow map.

The low flow management plan for the Mississippi River has been in effect since July 31. The plan imposes certain restrictions on dam operators and is designed to help ensure water is available for hydropower generation, public water supply, and to protect aquatic resources downstream.

Minnesota statute requires the DNR to limit consumptive appropriations of surface water under minimum flow conditions to protect instream ecology and downstream public water supplies. Water use types considered for suspension include irrigation, dust control, sand and gravel washing, and construction non-dewatering. Permits for public drinking water are not suspended.

Thirty-two watersheds are below the minimum flow threshold, Q90, this week. Two surface water appropriation permits were suspended on Sept. 18 in the Big Fork River watershed (No. 77), 18 permits were suspended in the Mississippi River – Grand Rapids watershed (No. 9) on Sept. 18, and 9 permits were suspended in the Mississippi River – Lake Pepin watershed (No. 38) on Sept 20.

Additionally, 112 surface water appropriation permits are currently suspended in the Crow Wing River (No. 12), Redeye River (No. 13), Mississippi River-Sartell (No. 15), Sauk River (No. 16), Mississippi River-Shakopee watershed (No. 33), Kettle River (No. 35), Zumbro River watershed (No. 41), Marsh River (No. 59), Two Rivers (No. 70), Little Fork River watershed (No. 76), Rapid River (No. 78) and Rainy River-Baudette (No. 79) watersheds.

This week flows dropped below minimum flow (Q90) in 4 watersheds: Le Sueur River (32), Cedar River (No. 48), Shell Rock River (No. 49) and the Winnebago River (No. 50). Permit suspension guidelines require five days of flows below Q90 prior to suspending permits. DNR water appropriation hydrologists will be reviewing permits in these watersheds for potential temporary suspension pending any changes to precipitation, river flows and seasonal water appropriation and use.

A permit suspension notification was sent to 14 surface water appropriation permit holders in the Snake River (No. 36) and Lower St. Croix River (No. 37) watersheds. The last day of pumping for surface water appropriation permit holders subject to suspension in these watersheds will be Saturday, Sept. 23.

Minimum stream flows are persisting in the Mississippi River – Headwaters (No. 7), Leech Lake River (No. 8), Mississippi River - St. Cloud (No. 17), Blue Earth River (No. 30), Watonwan River (No. 31), Rainy River – Headwaters (No. 72) watersheds. Although minimum stream flows persist, there are currently no surface water appropriation permits with consumptive uses eligible for temporary suspension in the Nemadji River (No. 5), Vermillion River (No. 73), Rainy River-Rainy Lake (No. 74) and Rainy River-Manitou (No. 75) watersheds.

The DNR is taking the following actions:

Monitoring conditions for watersheds that have entered the emergency phase and ordering needed actions to address drought in this area.
Notifying water suppliers that have moved to the Drought Warning, Restrictive, and Emergency Phases of the need to implement water conservation requirements for demand reduction.
Communicating with permittees whose permits will be suspended via email and certified letter.
Continuing to monitor streams where flows have reached minimums that may trigger appropriations permit suspensions.
Monitoring precipitation and water levels.

Permit suspensions during low flow

Watershed name (number)	Date of suspension	Number of permits suspended	Permit use types
Mississippi River-Grand Rapids (9)	9/18/2023	18	Wild rice irrigation, golf course irrigation, ag. crop irrigation, mine processing, dust control
Big Fork River (77)	9/18/2023	2	Golf course irrigation, basin level maintenance
Little Fork River (76)	9/13/2023	1	Sand and gravel washing
Zumbro River (41)	9/13/2023	4	Golf course irrigation, snow/ice making, sand and gravel washing
Minnesota River- Shakopee (33)	9/10/2023	6	Ag. crop irrigation, golf course irrigation, landscaping/athletic field irrigation
Marsh River (59)	9/6/2023	1	Pasture irrigation, non-crop irrigation
Pine River (11)	8/28/2023	4	Ag. crop irrigation, wild rice irrigation, construction non-dewatering
Mississippi River- Brainerd (10)	8/28/2023	19	Wild rice irrigation, ag. crop irrigation, golf course irrigation, sand and gravel washing
St. Louis River (3)	8/28/2023	6	Golf course irrigation, dust control
Redeye River (13)	8/23/2023	8	Ag. crop irrigation
Crow Wing River (12)	8/23/2023	6	Ag. crop irrigation, landscaping/athletic field irrigation, dust control
Kettle River (35)	8/14/2023	1	Sod farm irrigation
Rainy River-Baudette (79)	8/6/2023	1	Snow and ice making
Rapid River (78)	8/6/2023	1	Wild rice irrigation
Mississippi River – Sartell (15)	7/23/2023	14	Golf course irrigation, ag crop irrigation, construction non-dewatering
Sauk River (16)	7/23/2023	37	Golf course irrigation, ag crop irrigation, construction non-dewatering

Mississippi River Dam

Real-time streamflow compared to historical stream flow for the day of the year maps should be consulted for the most up to date information.

Fire danger and management

Drought conditions can also increase fire danger and can trigger varying degrees of burning restrictions across all of Minnesota. Fire danger and burning restrictions maps are updated daily and should be consulted for the most up to date information.

Lake water levels

The Hydrologic Conditions Report is prepared monthly and has general information concerning various water resources across Minnesota.

Precipitation forecast

For updated precipitation forecast, see the NOAA National Prediction Center quantitative 5-day precipitation forecast.

How rainfall and snowfall impact drought conditions

Soils are more efficiently replenished by multiple rainfall events than by any single heavy rainfall event. Surface water and groundwater respond somewhat differently over time. It is also important to note that annual precipitation averages vary widely across Minnesota, from less than 19 inches in northwestern Minnesota to 32 inches in the southeastern corner of the state.

Droughts frequently persist from one year to the next, depending in part on precipitation in winter and, to a greater extent, spring. A deep late-winter snow pack, frozen soil which prohibits infiltration, rapid snow melt and heavy early spring precipitation can rapidly shift concerns from drought to potential flooding.

2021-2022 drought

In 2021, many watersheds in Minnesota entered the drought warning phase and several entered the drought restrictive phase, necessitating restrictions on water use to protect drinking water supplies.

Significant rainfall across much of Minnesota in September and October 2021, combined with spring snowmelt and spring rains in 2022, brought improvement in drought conditions throughout the state.

Drought in 2022 was still significant but not nearly as severe or extensive as in 2021.

See the latest Drought Conditions Report.

What happens in drought restrictive phase

When watersheds enter the drought restrictive phase, the DNR and others take additional steps, including:

Notifying water appropriators with DNR permits that they should minimize non-essential water uses and follow water conservation measures, such as reducing landscape irrigation, using more efficient irrigation equipment, and checking for and repairing water leaks. Water appropriation permit holders can contact the local DNR area hydrologist for technical assistance or with any questions.

Notifying public water suppliers within these watersheds to implement water use reduction actions with a goal of reducing water use to 25% above January levels. Residents, businesses and landowners should watch for communications from their municipal or public water supplier for details on local water use reduction actions and restrictions. Restrictions on non-essential water uses (such as outdoor irrigation, car washes, etc.) may be enacted as public water suppliers take steps to achieve water reduction goals.

Increasing public awareness of drought conditions.

State Drought Task Force

The Minnesota State Drought Task Force was convened by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on July 21, 2021. The primary purposes of the Task Force are information sharing, coordination and planning. The first Drought Task Force meeting included updates on current drought status, brief summaries from members about their respective organizations’ drought-related responses, and planning for future Task Force meetings. The Task Force subsequently met in August and October to share information about drought status and ongoing drought responses. No further meetings of the State Drought Task Force are scheduled at this time. They may resume as needed in 2022.

Per the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan, the Minnesota DNR determines state drought phases and responses based on specific climatological and water data. Task Force members may share information and perspectives regarding these factors, but making phase determinations is not a role of the Task Force.

Meeting summaries and agendas

Permit suspensions during low flow

Click to enlarge map.

Watersheds currently under permit suspension

Mississippi River-Grand Rapids (9) as of 9/18/2023
Big Fork River (77) as of 9/18/2023
Little Fork River (76) as of 9/13/2023
Zumbro River (41) as of 9/13/2023
Minnesota River- Shakopee (33) as of 9/10/2023
Marsh River (59) as of 9/6/2023
Pine River (11) as of 8/28/2023
Mississippi River- Brainerd (10) as of 8/28/2023
St. Louis River (3) as of 8/28/2023
Redeye River (13) as of 8/23/2023
Crow Wing River (12) as of 8/23/2023
Kettle River (35) as of 8/14/2023
Rainy River-Baudette (79) as of 8/6/2023
Rapid River (78) as of 8/6/2023
Mississippi River – Sartell (15) as of 7/23/2023
Sauk River (16) as of 7/23/2023

Related to drought conditions, but not part of the State Drought Plan, is the requirement to protect instream uses and downstream public water supplies during periods of low flow.

The majority of watersheds in the state have a long-term water gauge that allows the DNR to monitor flow rates. The data collected from these gauges is utilized to quantify base flows as well as peak and low flow conditions. DNR staff continually monitor the flows in these major watersheds to determine when the low flow threshold has been reached. The threshold is based on statistical analysis that calculates what is called the Q90 flow. The Q90 value indicates that 90% of the time in recent decades, stream flow has been greater than that value. In other words, the stream flow has only been that level or below 10% of the time. Q90 is considered protected low flow level in Minnesota and is used for suspending surface water appropriations.

The drought conditions have resulted in several watersheds falling below the low flow threshold that triggers suspension of surface water appropriations. Some surface water appropriation permit holders will likely be suspended through the winter as flows in some watersheds have not recovered to a point where permits can be reinstated. The DNR will notify permit holders of this likelihood and will monitor flows near the end of winter and early spring if permit reinstatements are warranted.

The DNR’s surface water suspension guidelines identify the many factors that need to be considered for both permit suspension and permit reinstatement. The variability of these natural systems requires a holistic approach that can incorporate a broad array of inputs as part of decision-making. At a minimum, river flows need to above the minimum flow (Q90) for three consecutive days, but not just slightly above the minimum. The flow must be high enough so all surface appropriations do not reduce the flow back below the minimum flow. Precipitation forecasts are also considered when determining whether permits should be re-instated. These careful evaluations help to avoid re-suspending permits shortly after having them reinstated. That pattern would not be good for the aquatic ecosystem and could create frustration or confusion for permit holders.

Low lake levels and river flows

Water level fluctuations are natural. Occasional low water levels can be beneficial to ecosystems, but they can affect people, recreation and businesses that are dependent on water.

Lake and river levels are dependent on the amount of precipitation an area receives, how much of that moisture is contributed by runoff, how much water is recharged or discharged through groundwater, and how much water evaporates.

Very few lakes and rivers are regulated by water control structures. For those situations where control structures are present, they are operated according to the authorized project purposes and associated operating plans for those structures.

Manipulation of lake levels, such as adding or removing stop logs at lake outlets, requires DNR authorization under a public water works permit. Any unauthorized lake level manipulation is illegal.

Water appropriation permits that withdraw water directly from lakes are subject to suspension when lake levels go below specified protective elevations.

What can I do?

Take active measures to reduce indoor and outdoor water use. Ideas include avoiding lawn watering, addressing any plumbing leaks, and running only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
Longer range options include investing in water efficient appliances and installing drought tolerant landscaping.
Residents and landowners should watch for communications from their municipal or public water supplier for details on local water use reduction actions and restrictions.
For additional ideas to conserve water please see DNR’s water conservation webpage.

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