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-1 -2 -3 ESTIMATED PRECIPITATION FOR OCT 15 THRU APR 39, lg87 DEPARTURE FROM 1951-80 NORMALS ,5 Data collected by the National -- ~eather Set~lce and University of ~Lnneso:a Extension Se twice -2 -1 -2 -3 Prepared by: James A. Zandlo DNR, Division of Waters State Climatology Office 4 all values are in inches When Does A Dry Spell Turn Into A Drought ? This chart shows that thc past winter* was extremely ~ry, especially when you realize that normal precipitation for thc period is 6.0 to 8.0 · inches. -State Climatologist Jim Zandlo says that 'at the -present, this data only represents a dry period. If it continues another month or two, the situation could be serious. Fortunately, ti:ds dry spell was preceded by a wetter-than-normal summer and fail. Therefore, except for the nasty f'u'e season we've had, a near normal rainfall in May and June could bring things back to normal. So far the dry period has' resulted in little or no runoff to lakes and streams and a lack of moisture in thc upper 2 or 3 inches of soil." With many lakes at all-tlme highs the lack of runoff has been a blessing to many. However, a dry May could be a problem for agriculture and forestry. Without moisture in the upper soll horizon seeds and seedlings simply will not germinate. In many ways climatology is like the stock market. Highs are followed by lows - lows are followed by highs with corrections in between. Even the experts are sometimes wrong. For everybody's sake lets hope that we just went through a "market correction" and we're headed for- normal rainfall. (Date of text: 4/22/87) DOW To Speed Up Permit Process The winter of 1986-87 has not been kind to lakeshore. Due to the lack of snow cover, the shorelines of numerous lakes have suffered from severe "ice lac'king." Many landowners will be now faced with the problem of repairing their shore. In anticipation of a deluge of permit applications this spring, the Division of Waters is worldng out a streamlined permit process for repairs related to ice damage. This effort will hopefully cut the amount of "red t'~pe" which a landowner will have to put up with. The proced~ure will probably vary from county to county to ensure compatibility with any local permit programs. In some cases the damaged shore may be above the ordinary high water level and would not be subject to DNR permits. After the crisis appears to be over, the DOW will revert back to its established permit process. Area Hydrologist Terry Lejcher reports that, elakes in the Fergus Fails area suffered from a much higher than normal amount of ice jacking this past winter. I expect a deluge of permit requests from affected property owners.' The higher than normal water levels have exasperated the effects of ice jacking in many parts of the state. 'Most of the lakes in the Brainerd area went into winter at a high water level, 'said Area Hydrologist Ran Morreim. "Consequently, the damage is more widespread but not quite as severe as what occurred in the winter of 1984, a particularly bad year. This winter's mild temperatures were a blessing because they attenuated the effect the lack of an insulating snow cover would have had during a normal winter.~ In some cases the permit process will allow permits to be issued at the site. Contact your Regional or Area Hydrologist for details on how the expedited process will be handled in your county. The work that provides the basis for this publication was sup- ported by fi~nding under a cooperative agreement with the Fed- eral Emergency Management Agency. The substance and find- ings of that work are dedica :ed to the public. The author and pubtisher are solely responsi ,le for the accuracy of the state- merits, and interpretations car. rained in this publication. Such in- terpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government". PHOTO CREDITS Bob Merritt, Area Hydrologist, Detroit Lakes Terry LeJcher, Area Hydrologist, Fergus Falls Ron Morreim, Area Hydrologist, Bralnerd Skip Wright, Area Hydrologist, New UIm Gil Young, Hydrologist, SL Paul Bruce Sandstrom,Hydrologist, St Paul photos 1,4,5 photos 2,3 photos 6,7,8,9 photo 10, Fig. 2 Figure 3 Figure I