Corn turning brown

The drought of 2007

July 31, 2007

It's the second year in a row of hot weather and a lack of rain. The drought of 2007 is causing stress for farmers and residents of the Upper Midwest.

  • U.S. Drought Monitor
    Provides weekly updates on drought conditions in the nation and the state.
  • Irrigating cornPawlenty to ask for agricultural disaster declaration
    After viewing crop damage at a central Minnesota farm, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's moving ahead with plans for a possible disaster request for drought-stricken areas of the state.July 31, 2007
  • Dry grassDry days in Minnesota
    Midday talks with University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley and other experts about Minnesota's drought, and what it means for the state's water supply.Midday, July 31, 2007
  • Cracked soilLatest report shows crops are drying up
    Minnesota crops continued to deteriorate over the last week, despite rain in parts of the region. The latest crop report out Monday says only 21 percent of the state's farmland has adequate soil moisture.July 30, 2007
  • Water hoseWhere's the driest place in Minnesota?
    Much of Minnesota is dealing with another dry summer. One of the driest spots in the state is the central Minnesota community of Litchfield. Rainfall in the Meeker County town is almost eight inches behind normal for the year.July 30, 2007
  • Watering cornFarmers worry about drought
    A band of severe drought in Minnesota is causing concern among the state's farmers. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with two University of Minnesota extension educators about the current state of Minnesota's crops.July 30, 2007
  • Corn under stressFarm worries mount as drought expands
    Minnesota is dry and getting drier. Eighty-two percent of the state is now rated abnormally dry, while 35 percent is in moderate drought and 24 percent is in severe drought.July 26, 2007
  • Aquifer mapWhat is an aquifer?
    This week the city of Chanhassen issued a watering ban after three of its 11 wells failed, because it could no longer draw water from underground aquifers in the area. Here's a primer on aquifers.July 25, 2007
  • Watering canChanhassen restricts water usage
    The city of Chanhassen has banned the use of sprinklers and irrigation systems because of the recent hot and dry conditions. Chanhassen is in a part of the state that has been hit particularly hard.July 24, 2007
  • Dry grassDry weather worries parts of region
    Despite heavy rain across parts of the region, concerns remain about dry conditions in Minnesota and South Dakota.July 18, 2007
  • Boundary WatersLow water levels a growing concern
    Lake Superior's lower lake levels worry boaters, and may cause even longer term affects on shipping. And the temperatures of the lake are rising faster over time than the air. Midmorning checks in on lake levels and drought here and there in Minnesota.Midmorning, July 9, 2007

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