Summary of Streamflow Conditions and USGS Low-Flow Activities

State Drought Task Force MeetingState Drought Task Force MeetingOct. 4, 2012Oct. 4, 2012

St Paul, MN - WebinarSt Paul, MN - Webinar

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Greg Mitton, USGS, Mounds View, MN

mitton@usgs.gov 763-783-3201

Photo of dry channel at Minnesota River at Montevideo, 1932

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Nearly half of U.S. Nearly half of U.S. experiencing experiencing

below-normal streamflowbelow-normal streamflow

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/new/index.php

Comparing lowflow conditions nationally – June and Sept., Comparing lowflow conditions nationally – June and Sept., 20122012

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Map of below normal 7-day average Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow for July 30 and Oct. 1, 2012streamflow for July 30 and Oct. 1, 2012

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/new/index.php?m=dryw&r=mn

Flow Conditions at USGS gages Flow Conditions at USGS gages in Minnesotain Minnesota

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mn/nwis/current/?type=intro

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66

77

88

99

99

1010

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Summary of current streamflows for Summary of current streamflows for 72 USGS stream gages within 72 USGS stream gages within Minnesota.Minnesota.• 28 (39%) locations have flows in the lower 1028 (39%) locations have flows in the lower 10thth

percentile. Mostly in the northern third and south-percentile. Mostly in the northern third and south-central parts of state.central parts of state.

• 27 (38%) locations have flows in the 10-2427 (38%) locations have flows in the 10-24thth percentilepercentile

• 17 (23%) locations have flows in the 25-7517 (23%) locations have flows in the 25-75thth percentile. Mostly in the west-central part of percentile. Mostly in the west-central part of state.state.

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Additional Drought Additional Drought ResourcesResources

http://mn.water.usgs.gov/infodata/lowflow/

Low-Flow Statistics Web PageDrought-related Web Page

http://mn.water.usgs.gov/drought/