DNR Restricts Water Withdrawal.

It's getting dry in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes- so dry that the Minnesota DNR is taking measures to restrict water usage.

As water levels in rivers and lakes have declined in the face of the long drought, a number of recreational and industrial facilities have been required to suspend pumping from waterways. Although the facilities hold permits that allow them to extract water, these same permits include clauses requiring that such pumping be cut back if water levels fall too low.

American Crystal Sugar, in Moorhead, is affected by the shortage

"Last week we sent out 16 letters. And there was one in Hubbard County, Blue Earth, one in Martin, several in Polk, to surface water users. And they were told then to stop pumping water as of last Thursday midnight," said Julie Ekman, DNR water regulations unit supervisor.

While most of the cutbacks are for recreational facilities such as golf courses, industrial water users including Southern Minnesota Construction, Minnesota Pipeline Company, and American Crystal Sugar have been affected as well.

Over half of the state is now in drought, with the south and the northwest being hit particularly hard. DNR climatologist Greg Spoden says that a little rain will not be enough.

“This will take multiple, ample autumn rains for us to replenish our soil moisture reserves,” he said.

More water permits are likely to be suspended if the drought does not relent, said Ekman.

Image Source: MPR