Minnesota expert warns against wasting water amid drought: "Our water source is not a bottomless pit"

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is facing its worst drought conditions in five years, experts say. About 88% of Minnesota is either experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.

"Right now, almost half of our state is in severe drought," said Luigi Romolo, state climatologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Romolo said the current drought is competing with the 2021 drought when it comes to severity. He said the situation could become worse if dry conditions continue.

North-central Minnesota is facing a "storage drought," which means repeated drought for years, leaving less water stored up. As a result, lake levels, stream flows and groundwater levels are low.

"They're about half a year's worth of precipitation below normal over the last four to five years," Romolo said.

In Otter Tail County, river levels are so low that tubers are forced to stay on shore instead of flowing downstream.

In Minneapolis, the roaring Minnehaha Falls is down to a much lower flow.

Five watersheds remain in the drought warning response phase, meaning conservation measures must be in place. The statewide plan calls for actions by public water suppliers, users and dam operators to keep things from getting worse.

Some metro communities are already taking action, including Oakdale, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville and Edina.

Romolo said you shouldn't wait until restrictions kick in to start saving water.

"Our water source is not a bottomless pit," Romolo said. "There is a limit to how much water there is in Minnesota."

Romolo said the state is expected to become warmer and wetter in the future. That sounds like good news, but will it offset the water demand? That is yet to be determined.

For now, the message is simple: be mindful.

"Take shorter showers. Don't run the water when you're shaving or brushing your teeth," Romolo said.

While any amount of rain is welcomed, it will take several days of heavy rainfall to even put a dent in the drought.          

For more information on how you can help conserve water, visit the Minnesota DNR's website.