Hydrologic Conditions Report

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(1)Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Ecological and Water Resources. Hydrologic Conditions Report April 2015 This is the first installment of the monthly Hydrologic Conditions Report for 2015. For comparative purposes please reference the previous reports at: http://mndnr.gov/current_conditions/hydro_conditions.html. . April 2015 monthly precipitation totals were below historical averages across most of Minnesota, continuing a predominantly dry pattern that originated during the mid-summer of 2014. In many communities, April precipitation totals fell short of average by one-half inch to one and one-half inches. For a few south central and southeast Minnesota counties, April precipitation totals topped five inches, exceeding the long-term average by an inch or more. As of early May 2015, the U. S. Drought Monitor indicated that Severe Drought conditions existed in northwest and north central Minnesota. Moderate Drought conditions were in place over most of the remainder of the state. A few southeast Minnesota counties were free of drought designation. The drought conditions were the result of a dry 2014 autumn, below-average snowfall during the 20142015 winter, and a dry spring. Precipitation totals for October 1, 2014 through May 5, 2015 were five to seven inches below normal for much of Minnesota (see map). For large sections of the state, October 1, 2014 to May 5, 2015 precipitation totals ranked below the 5th percentile (one year in twenty) when compared with historical data for the same seven-month period.. . The 2015 open water season began with relatively low stream flows across most of Minnesota. The below average winter snowfall and dry spring led to very little snowpack runoff for the spring melt. A small corner of southeast Minnesota is not categorized as drought affected and stream flows are in the above normal range for those watersheds.. . Preliminary Spring 2015 results of 500 statewide lake levels show that 50% of the lakes decreased 1 to 12 inches since Fall 2014; 25% of the lakes stayed the same as Fall 2014; 25% of the lakes increased 1 to 12 inches by Spring 2015. So far, 50% of the lakes were below their average lake level of the entire historic record, but 36% of the lakes were above their average lake level. When comparing Spring 2015 lake levels to their entire historic record, 62% of these lakes were in the Normal percentile, 10% above normal, and 28% below normal or low. Most of the highlighted lakes experienced Normal percentile ranges when focusing on April comparisons. Swan and Marion Lakes dropped a percentile since October, but held onto their waters and were at Above Normal percentiles for April. North Center Lake and Lake of the Woods dropped to Below Normal April percentiles. Indian and White Bear Lakes also dropped another percentile into the Low percentile for April, the same percentile seen for multiple months in 2013 for these lakes. At the end of this month, White Bear Lake had similar water levels as its lake levels in June 2013 and August 2011.. . Groundwater levels in all but the far eastern edge of the state were at or below normal levels for the month of April. Surficial aquifer levels, as well as buried and bedrock aquifers appeared at the same or lower overall levels compared to their historical monthly levels from last fall.. The information in this report is provided by DNR through long term programs committed to recording and tracking the long term status of our water resources. The current conditions of precipitation, stream flows, lake levels and ground water levels in this report provide valuable information for natural and economic resource management on a state, county and watershed level. If you have questions on the content of this report please contact Greg Spoden: 651-296-4214, [email protected].

(2) Minnesota Counties and Major Watershed Index. 71. 70 KITTSON. 69. 80 79. ROSEAU. 78. 65. 68. 75. LAKE OF THE WOODS. 74. BELTRAMI. MARSHALL. 67. 73. PENNINGTON. 62 63. RED LAKE. 66. ITASCA. 1. 72. 76. 77. CLEARWATER. 61. POLK. KOOCHICHING. COOK. DNR Major Watershed Level 4 Hydrologic Unit (HUC8). 7. 59 60. NORMAN. 2. 3. MAHNOMEN. 4. 8 12. 57. HUBBARD. BECKER OTTER TAIL. CLAY. WILKIN. 56. 9. CASS. WADENA. 11. ST. LOUIS. CROW WING. 13. PINE. 10. 54. 55. BIG STONE. 23. 16. 26. 21. SHERBURNE. SWIFT. 17. KANDIYOHI. 34. KANABEC. BENTON. POPE. 22. 36. MORRISON. TODD. STEVENS. 34. 15. STEARNS. TRAVERSE. 35. MILLE LACS. 14. DOUGLAS. GRANT. 37. ISANTI. CHISAGO WRIGHT. 18. CHIPPEWA. ANOKA. 20. MEEKER. 24. RAMSEY. HENNEPIN. LAC QUI PARLE. 25. RENVILLE. 19. YELLOW MEDICINE. MCLEOD. LYON. LINCOLN. 29 REDWOOD. 82. SIBLEY. 38 39. RICE STEELE. 31. 83 84. BLUE EARTH. WATONWAN. JACKSON. 52. 53. FARIBAULT. GOODHUE. DODGE. 41. WABASHA. 40. 32. WASECA. 30 MARTIN. DAKOTA. LE SUEUR. BROWN. MURRAY COTTONWOOD. ROCK NOBLES. 38. SCOTT. NICOLLET. 51. PIPESTONE. CARVER. 33. 28. 27. 81. 5. CARLTON. WASHINGTON. 58. LAKE. AITKIN. 50. 49. 48. FREEBORN MOWER. 47. 43. 46. Level 2 Hydrologic Unit (HUC4). Cedar River. Missouri - Big Sioux Rivers. Lower Mississippi River. Rainy River. Des Moines River Minnesota River. Mississippi - Upper Iowa Rivers Mississippi River - Headwaters. 42. OLMSTED WINONA. FILLMORE. Missouri - Little Sioux Rivers Red River of the North St. Croix River. Western Lake Superior. 46. 44. HOUSTON. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84.. Lake Superior - North Lake Superior - South St. Louis River Cloquet River Nemadji River (none) Mississippi River - Headwaters Leech Lake River Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Mississippi River - Brainerd Pine River Crow Wing River Redeye River Long Prairie River Mississippi River - Sartell Sauk River Mississippi River - St. Cloud North Fork Crow River South Fork Crow River Mississippi River - Twin Cities Rum River Minnesota River - Headwaters Pomme de Terre River Lac Qui Parle River Minnesota - Yellow Medicine Rivers Chippewa River Redwood River Minnesota River - Mankato Cottonwood River Blue Earth River Watonwan River Le Sueur River Lower Minnesota River Upper St. Croix River Kettle River Snake River Lower St. Croix River Mississippi River - Lake Pepin Cannon River Mississippi River - Winona Zumbro River Mississippi River - La Crescent Root River Mississippi River - Reno (none) Upper Iowa River Upper Wapsipinicon River Cedar River Shell Rock River Winnebago River Des Moines River - Headwaters Lower Des Moines River East Fork Des Moines River Bois de Sioux River Mustinka River Otter Tail River Upper Red River of the North Buffalo River Red River of the North - Marsh River Wild Rice River Red River of the North - Sandhill River Upper/Lower Red Lake Red Lake River (none) Thief River Clearwater River Red River of the North - Grand Marais Creek Snake River Red River of the North - Tamarac River Two Rivers Roseau River Rainy River - Headwaters Vermilion River Rainy River - Rainy Lake Rainy River - Black River Little Fork River Big Fork River Rapid River Rainy River - Baudette Lake of the Woods Upper Big Sioux River Lower Big Sioux River Rock River Little Sioux River.

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(14) Surface Water: Stream Flow Stream Flow Conditions April 2015. # #. 71. 70. 69. KITTSON. 80. #. 79. ROSEAU. 78. #. 65. 68. #. PENNINGTON. #. # #63 #. RED LAKE. 62. 73. KOOCHICHING. # #. ITASCA. COOK. # #. NORMAN. 60. 2. 3. #. MAHNOMEN. 4. 8 12. #. HUBBARD. BECKER. WILKIN. 11. ST. LOUIS. CROW WING. #. #. 56. #. 13. 15. # 55. GRANT. STEARNS. TRAVERSE. BIG STONE. 23 STEVENS. 16. 26. # 22. SWIFT. LAC QUI PARLE. 25. YELLOW MEDICINE. MEEKER. RENVILLE. 19. #. 33. LYON LINCOLN. #. 28. 27. REDWOOD. 82. MURRAY. 84. #. 38. #. #. 38. GOODHUE. STEELE. BLUE EARTH. DODGE. 41. WABASHA. #40. #. 32. WASECA. OLMSTED FILLMORE. #. 52. 53. 30 MARTIN. This map is based on provisional stream gage data from the USGS National Water Information System. 39 RICE. WATONWAN. DAKOTA. SCOTT. LE SUEUR. # ##. 83 NOBLES. RAMSEY. CARVER. SIBLEY. 31. COTTONWOOD JACKSON. ROCK. ANOKA. HENNEPIN. #. BROWN. 51. PIPESTONE. #. NICOLLET. 29. 81. MCLEOD. CHISAGO. # 20. #. WRIGHT. 34. 37. ISANTI. 18. #. 24. 17. #. CHIPPEWA. #. #. 21. SHERBURNE. KANDIYOHI. #. #. KANABEC. BENTON. #. POPE. 34. #. 36. MORRISON. TODD. October 2014. 35. MILLE LACS. 14. Previous Flow Conditions. PINE. # DOUGLAS. #. 5. CARLTON. 10 54. LAKE. #. 9. CASS. WADENA. OTTER TAIL. CLAY. AITKIN. WASHINGTON. 58. #. 1. 7. 59. 57. # 72. 76. 77. CLEARWATER. 61. POLK. #. 66. 74. #. BELTRAMI. MARSHALL. #. 67. 75. LAKE OF THE WOODS. FARIBAULT. # Designated major watershed gage * Percentile ranking based on mean daily flows for the current month averaged and ranked with all historical mean daily flows for that month. A watershed ranked at zero means that the present month flow is the lowest in the period of record; a ranking of 100 indicates the highest in the period of record. A ranking at the 50th percentile (median) specifies that the present-month flow is in the middle of the historical distribution.. 50. 49 FREEBORN. 48. #. MOWER. 47. 46. 42. WINONA. #. 43 46. 44. HOUSTON. April Percentile *. High Flows (>90th percentile) Above Normal Flows (75 - 90th percentile) Normal Flows (25 - 75th percentile) Below Normal Flows (10 - 25th percentile) Low Flows (<= 10th percentile). Flow affected by backwater. Station monitored seasonally.

(15) Surface Water: Lake Levels Lake Level Status April 2015. ( Lake of the Woods ! KITTSON. ROSEAU. LAKE OF THE WOODS BELTRAMI MARSHALL. PENNINGTON. KOOCHICHING. RED LAKE. ! (. POLK. NORMAN. Sarah. Vermilion. ITASCA. CLEARWATER. ! (. Poplar. ! ( Burntside. ! (. COOK. ! (. Turtle River MAHNOMEN LAKE. HUBBARD. BECKER. CASS. WADENA. OTTER TAIL. CLAY. WILKIN. Edward. East Battle. ST. LOUIS. CROW WING. ( ! ( !. CARLTON. ( ! ( !. Mille Lacs. GRANT STEVENS. BIG STONE. MORRISON. TODD. ( !. Minnewaska. RAMSEY. LYON. Swan. MURRAY. COTTONWOOD JACKSON. ROCK. NOBLES. ( !. BROWN. Indian. ( !. HENNEPIN. ( !. MCLEOD. LINCOLN. ( !. ( !. ( !. ( !. White Bear. ( !. ( !. SIBLEY. LE SUEUR. ! ( (! ! (. ( ! ( !. SCOTT. ( ! ( !. ( !. CARVER. ( ! Upper Prior. ( !. ( !. ( !. ANOKA. Minnetonka. MEEKER. YELLOW MEDICINE. PIPESTONE. North Center. ( !. CHISAGO. ( Green !. RENVILLE. ( !. Pokegama. ISANTI. KANDIYOHI. WRIGHT. REDWOOD. ( ( ! !. SHERBURNE. CHIPPEWA. ( Shetek !. ! (. BENTON. SWIFT. ( !. ( !. KANABEC. STEARNS. POPE. LAC QUI PARLE. Previous Conditions October 2014. Tamarack. MILLE LACS. DOUGLAS. TRAVERSE. Chub. PINE. WASHINGTON. Upper Cormorant ! (. AITKIN. ( ! ! (. ( !. DAKOTA. Marion. ( !. NICOLLET. West Jefferson. ( !. RICE. GOODHUE. STEELE. WATONWAN. BLUE EARTH. DODGE. WABASHA. OLMSTED. WASECA. WINONA. FILLMORE. MARTIN. FARIBAULT. FREEBORN. * Percentile ranking based on last reported reading for the current month compared to all historical reported levels for that month. A lake ranked at zero means that the present reported level is the lowest in the period of record; a ranking of 100 indicates the highest in the period of record. A ranking at the 50th percentile (median) specifies that the presentmonth reported lake level is in the middle of the historical distribution. Source data from: MN DNR Waters Lake Level Minnesota Monitoring Program. HOUSTON. MOWER. April Percentile *. ! ( ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ! (. High Water Levels (>90th percentile). Above Normal Water Levels (75 - 90th percentile) Normal Water Levels (25 - 75th percentile). Below Normal Water Levels (10 - 25th percentile) Low Water Levels (<= 10th percentile) No reading available. Level 2 Hydrologic Unit DNR Major Watershed. ( !.

(16) Ground Water Ground Water Level Historical Rankings April 2015. #. #. #. #. #. #. # ! ##. ". ". ". #. # # #. #. #. ". # ". # " #. #. " !!!!! !. October 2014 Indicator Wells. #. !. !. " Aquifer Water Table. Buried Artesian Bedrock. Water Level ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! (. * Percentile ranking based on last reported reading for the current month compared to all historical reported levels for that month. A water level ranked at zero means that the present reported level is the lowest in the period of record; a ranking of 100 indicates the highest in the period of record. A ranking at the 50th percentile (median) specifies that the presentmonth reported water level level is in the middle of the historical distribution. Source data from: MN DNR Ground Water Level Monitoring Program. High Water Levels (> 90% percentile). Above Normal Water Levels (75% - 90% percentile) Normal Water Levels (25% - 75% percentile) Below Normal Water Levels (10% - 25% percentile) Low Water Levels (< 10% percentile).

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