It was great to see the rain on Sunday, but we could have used a lot more. Our official tally at MSP airport was just over one-half of an inch. A moderate to severe drought continues through most of the Twin Cities metro area and over much of Minnesota.
An incredibly dry autumn, followed by limited winter snowfall, produced a significant drop in the water levels of many Minnesota lakes. Here’s a picture ofLake Minnetonka, near Excelsior Commons, taken Monday afternoon.
An incredibly dry autumn, followed by limited winter snowfall, produced a significant drop in the water levels of many Minnesota lakes. Here’s a picture of
(You can left-click on the photo for a larger view)
Last spring, water covered the sand at this spot, and I remember waves splashing over the lowest rocks on the bank. Based on data from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District web site MCWD water levels,Lake Minnetonka Minnetonka
Last spring, water covered the sand at this spot, and I remember waves splashing over the lowest rocks on the bank. Based on data from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District web site MCWD water levels,
2012 April 16 928.04 (Feet above sea level)
2011 April 15 930.11
2010 April 16 929.29
2009 April 16 928.94
The water level was so high last April because we were coming out of a very snowy winter. This winter, we saw only 22.3 inches of snow, less than half of normal. Generous spring rains would help our lake levels recover a bit. If we could schedule the rain to fall at night, followed by daytime sunshine, there would be a lot of smiles.
