SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Submission Preview
St. Cloud Dam on Mississippi River Shut Down for First Time Since 1988
████ # This file was generated bot-o-matically! Edit at your own risk. ████
St. Cloud dam on Mississippi River shut down for first time since 1988 [sctimes.com]:
St. Cloud dam generators shut down due to low river flows for first time since 1988 Anna Haecherl [soylentnews.org]St. Cloud TimesView Comments [sctimes.com]
ST. CLOUD — The St. Cloud hydroelectric dam shut down production Monday when Mississippi River flows fell below 700 cubic feet per second.
This is the first time since 1988 that the St. Cloud Hydroelectric Generation Facility was required to shut down due to low flows, according to the City of St. Cloud.
Along the Mississippi River near the dam in St. Cloud, the river level [weather.gov] is around 3.5 feet, according to the National Weather Service. That's the second-lowest reading on record after the river reached 2.5 feet in October 1992.
More:How is the drought affecting St. Cloud's rivers and lakes? Area experts discuss potential long-term impacts [soylentnews.org]
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updated the state’s drought conditions Thursday. The percentage of the state in extreme drought is now 42%, compared to 35% a week ago. The eastern half of Stearns County and all of Sherburne and Benton counties are now in extreme drought conditions.
The St. Cloud area area needs at least 5 to 8 inches of rain over a 3-week period to alleviate the drought conditions, according to the DNR.
Elevated fire conditions remained Tuesday across Central Minnesota and to the south due to low humidity and dry fuels, according to the National Weather Service, creating conditions favorable for rapid wildfire spread.
More:Dozens of residences evacuated as northeastern Minnesota wildfire spreads [soylentnews.org]
The DNR expanded its burning restrictions Tuesday. Open burning and some campfires are now restricted in Sherburne, Wright, Douglas, Mille Lacs and other counties. Restrictions have been in place for many counties including Benton, Morrison, Todd and Stearns counties since earlier this summer.
As of Monday, August rainfall in the St. Cloud area was 1.7 inches below normal. Precipitation for the year to date is 5.7 inches below normal in St. Cloud.
Cities ask residents to reduce water use
City of St. Cloud water customers are required to limit lawn watering to once a week. Residents are asked to water on the same day as their garbage pickup day. Businesses and institutions are asked to water on Saturday or Sunday.
Watering of gardens, flower beds, new shrubs and new trees, by hand, is exempt from this restriction.
More:Heat, fire and drought: This is climate change in Minnesota. Here's what you can do about it [soylentnews.org]
The restrictions only pertain to city water supply — users of sand points, ponds, wells or other non-city water supply sources do not need to abide by the watering restrictions, although it is highly encouraged.
Residents and businesses can apply for a watering exemption for newly sodded lawns by filling out a form on the city’s website [ttps].
Residents and businesses not following the required restrictions will receive a warning notice. If noncompliance continues, a notice of violation may be sent, along with related administrative fines.
The City of Sartell issued a complete water ban Tuesday. Non-essential outdoor water use such as yard sprinkling, power washing buildings, car washing and swimming pool filling are not allowed. Residents and businesses can apply for a watering exemption for newly seeded or sodded lawns at city hall.
A citation for not abiding by the ban is $100 and increases by $100 after each offense. Failure to pay a citation will result in a property tax assessment.
St. Joseph residents can water flowers, gardens and newly planted trees but must adhere to the odd/even day schedule. Properties with new sod or seed, or with a private well, may water with a permit from the city.
In Sauk Rapids, residents should adhere to an odd/even-day watering schedule and may not water lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to limit lawn-watering to once or twice per week.
Waite Park residents are under a watering ban, except for flowers, vegetable gardens, shrubs and potted plants.
- News Director Lisa Schwarz contributed to this report.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.
;
