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

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

With persistent dry conditions following a near-record warm September, moderate and severe drought expanded in October and into November. Conditions improved in November, with significant precipitation across much of the state. While the Drought Monitor Map will be updated on this webpage weekly, week-to-week drought intensity classification percentages will pause during the winter and resume in spring. The Minnesota DNR continues to carefully monitor the situation and take steps as outlined in the the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, Dec 5 showed:

• 37% of Minnesota abnormally dry (D0), down from 39% the previous week.
• 48% of Minnesota in moderate drought (D1), unchanged from the previous week.
• 19% of Minnesota in severe drought (D2), unchanged from the previous week.

Drought management actions

The Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan applies drought phases to the 12 river basin watersheds in the state (HUC4 level).

Four river basins are now in the Drought Warning phase. 

 Des Moines River Watershed

• Missouri Big Sioux Watershed
• Missouri Little Sioux Watershed
• Western Lake Superior Watershed

Eight river basins are now in the Drought Watch phase. 

• Minnesota River Watershed
• Rainy River Watershed
• Red River Watershed
• Mississippi Headwaters Watershed
• St. Croix Watershed
• Upper Mississippi-Black Root Watershed
• Upper Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon Watershed
• Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum Watershed

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.

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).

 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.

 The DNR will continue to monitor flows and water levels in watersheds throughout the state and will temporarily suspend surface water appropriations when needed to protect in-stream flows, downstream higher priority users, and fish and wildlife habitat.

Permit suspensions during low flow

State Drought Task Force

The DNR convenes the State Drought Task Force in Drought Warning phase. The primary purposes of the Task Force are information sharing, coordination and planning.

Per the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan, the 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

• October 28, 2021 meeting summary
• October 28, 2021 meeting agenda
• September 2021 - recent actions by member organizations
• August 19, 2021 meeting summary
• August 5, 2021 meeting summary, August 19, 2021 meeting agenda, meeting presentation
• July 21, 2021 meeting summary and August 5, 2021 meeting agenda, meeting presentation

Permit suspensions during low flow

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.

Drought conditions sometimes result in watersheds falling below the low flow threshold that triggers suspension of surface water appropriations. The DNR notifies permit holders when their permits are suspended and when they are reinstated.

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.