FAIRMONT — Rainfall over the last week was enough to decrease, but not end, the drought level in Martin County, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The county’s drought level has decreased from Extreme Drought to Severe Drought.

Information provided by the DNR states that the entire state entered the drought warning phase in mid-July. Conditions have worsened in much of Minnesota, particularly northern Minnesota, over the last month.

Drought is a naturally occurring feature of Minnesota’s climate. Some level of moderate and severe drought typically occurs in the state almost every year for at least a few weeks. Most severe drought in Minnesota is short-lived, but drought in Minnesota can, during very persistent dry conditions, enter the extreme intensity classification. The current drought is not as severe as the historic droughts of 1988-89 or the 1930s, but it is intensifying, bringing significant challenges to many individuals and businesses and contributing to dangerous wildfire conditions.

The effects are beginning to be felt locally as water levels have dropped. At the most recent Fairmont city council meeting, City Engineer Troy Nemmers said that all water suppliers across the state received a DNR notice regarding the state of Minnesota going into the drought warning phase. As a result, the city issued a voluntary notice for water conservation on July 19, though Nemmers noted that there hasn’t been a noticeable decrease in water use.

The current water use restrictions are voluntary, however, council member Randy Lubenow stated that his opinion that the council may have to think about implementing enforcement measures even if they don’t receive such guidance from the state.

Current information from the DNR states that, under current conditions, it will take at least five to nine inches of precipitation spread over a period of about one month to significantly alleviate the drought. Soils are more efficiently replenished by multiple rainfall events than by any single heavy rainfall event. Surface water and groundwater respond somewhat differently over time.