The Minnesota DNR's latest drought update, tied to the Oct. 8 U.S. Drought Monitor map, shows 36% of Minnesota in moderate drought, down from 37% the week before. Another 25% is in severe drought and 3% is in extreme drought. The Mississippi Headwaters watershed is still in the state's Drought Warning phase, along with the St. Croix and Western Lake Superior watersheds.
No Minnesota watershed is in the Drought Restrictive phase right now, per the DNR. That's the stage that would require public water suppliers to cut consumption to 125% of their January baseline. The DNR also moved the Rainy River and Missouri-Big Sioux watersheds down to the Drought Watch phase, citing improving conditions there.
Bloomington first sounded the alarm in late July. The city said Bloomington was classified in moderate drought as of July 30. It said the Mississippi Headwaters, one of Bloomington's drinking water sources, was doing worse and was in severe drought. The city monitors conditions together with the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota DNR, which updates statewide conditions weekly. The city last updated the notice on Aug. 4.
The notice still doesn't impose formal restrictions. The city has warned that if conditions worsen, it will take steps to reduce water use, including limits on outdoor watering. Until then, conserving is voluntary.
Lawn season is winding down, but the city's outdoor advice still applies. Water during cooler parts of the day, give lawns no more than 1 inch a week and only when they need it, check hoses and sprinklers for leaks, and hand-water plants instead of running an automatic system.
Indoors, the city recommends installing low-flow fixtures, taking showers instead of baths, and turning off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving. Skip pre-rinsing dishes, run the dishwasher only when it's full, and wait for a full load before starting the washing machine. If you wash dishes by hand, fill the sink instead of letting the tap run, and rinse vegetables in a pan rather than under running water. Fix leaking toilets, too.
Residents with questions can reach the city's Utilities Division at 952-563-8777 or [email protected].
