June 15, 2023



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

June 15, 2023




*For more information:*
Contact the DNR Information Center
by?email <[email protected]>?or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Six watersheds move to drought watch phase [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Rushford man named 2022 ATV safety instructor of the year [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Zebra mussels confirmed in Wall Lake in Otter Tail County [ #link_1 ]
* Zebra mussels confirmed in Long Lake in Kandiyohi County [ #link_2 ]

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Six watersheds move to drought watch phase

Four other watersheds have been in drought watch since last year

Due to rapidly developing precipitation deficits over much of Minnesota, six watersheds will be moving to the Drought Watch Response Phase as prescribed in the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan [ [link removed] ] (files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/climate/drought/drought_plan_matrix.pdf).


* Mississippi Headwaters
* Western Superior
* Croix
* Rainy River
* Upper Mississippi-Black-Root
* Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum

Four watersheds have remained in various drought response phases since the summer of 2022, and are currently in the Drought Watch Response Phase, due to prolonged drought conditions:


* Des Moines River
* Missouri-Little Sioux
* Missouri-Big Sioux
* Red River

?Drought watch? means a significant portion of the watershed is ?Abnormally Dry? or in ?Moderate Drought.? The more intense ?drought warning? phase, which much of Minnesota entered in 2021 and 2022, means more severe and widespread drought. Some degree of drought occurs in Minnesota nearly every year.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released today shows significant amounts of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions over much of the state, with a small portion of severe drought developing in central Minnesota.?There is also a significant amount of moderate drought in and near the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. ?Abnormally dry? and ?moderate drought? classifications mean there are decreased lake and river levels, reduced soil moisture and increased fire danger.?

The DNR encourages water users and suppliers in drought watch areas to consider voluntary measures to reduce water use. Per the Statewide Drought Plan, no mandatory restrictions or new water appropriation suspensions are being implemented at this time.

The DNR is taking the following actions:


* Notifying the State Drought Task Force of these conditions. The task force comprises representatives from state agencies, local governments and related organizations.
* Updating the DNR Drought webpage.
* Notifying public water suppliers in the Drought Watch Response Phase watersheds and encouraging them to implement demand reduction and water conservation measures.
* Closely monitoring conditions.

?Drought watch is a reminder that Minnesotans should not take water for granted. Water use increases as conditions become drier, and that strains water supplies,? DNR Conservation Assistance and Regulation Section Manager Randall Doneen said. ?It is important for all water users to look at how much water they?re using and commit to using less, not just during drought but on an ongoing basis.?

Minnesotans are encouraged to learn how much water they are using [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/conservation.html) compared to the average American home and identify ways to reduce water use now and in the future. More than 75% of Minnesotans rely on groundwater for their water supply. Reducing use today saves water for the future.

A map of Minnesota watersheds, a link to the U.S. Drought Monitor and more information about drought in Minnesota is available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/climate/drought). The website includes a link where anyone can sign up to receive drought-related notifications and information.

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Rushford man named 2022 ATV safety instructor of the year

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has named Michael Halvorson, a Rushford resident, as the 2022 ATV instructor of the year.

Halvorson, who?s currently the vice president of the Bluff Country ATV Club, has been a volunteer ATV safety instructor for more than 12 years. The club does three classes each year. In addition, he?s a regional director for ATV MN and has been a trail ambassador for more than 10 years. The latter involves volunteers educating trail users, monitoring trails and providing information about safe and responsible off-highway vehicle use on public lands.

?Mike goes above and beyond to ensure all youth riders in the community have a solid foundation of safety before they head out on the trails,? said Phil George, the DNR Enforcement Division?s regional training officer in the area. ?He puts in an incredible amount of time to ensuring all riders are safe and that riding opportunities will be there for future generations as well.?

According to Allen Kirchhof, president of the Bluff Country ATV Club, Halvorson is instrumental in planning, setting up and running the three annual courses, including setting up props, ensuring there are enough ATVs and finding locations for both the classroom and field components of the course. ?Without his support, hard work, dedication over the years, community interaction and presence, our safety program would not be as good as it is now,? he said in his nomination of Halvorson.

Halvorson is among the nearly 1,000 volunteer ATV safety instructors who work with DNR conservation officers to deliver ATV safety training certification. Details about safety courses and training are available on the?DNR website [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle/atv), as are?ATV regulations [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/regulations/ohv).

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Zebra mussels confirmed in Wall Lake in Otter Tail County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has discovered zebra mussels in Wall Lake, near Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County.

A lake user reported finding two zebra mussels attached to an object in the lake. During a dive search, a DNR invasive species specialist found half-inch zebra mussels on the lakebed and rocks about one-third mile from the area of the initial report.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Invasives/AIS/Contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/AIS).

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Zebra mussels confirmed in Long Lake in Kandiyohi County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in Long Lake, near Hawick in Kandiyohi County.

DNR invasive species specialists, following up on a report of zebra mussels, found six adult zebra mussels, up to 1.5 inches long, attached to concrete planks at the public access boat ramp.?

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Invasives/AIS/Contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/AIS).

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