Total for This Part of

State Is Approximately

36 Inches Per Annum.

——–

LAST SIX

MONTHS WERE

EXCEEDINGLY DRY

——–

But 6.59 Inches

of Moisture Has

Fallen Since

October. – Ground

Exceptionally Dry.

——–

The past six months have been the driest of any similar period during the past nine years, with one exception. During the interregnum from October 1, 1923 to April 1, 1924 but 6.59 Inches of precipitation fell in this city, according to data compiled by Voluntary Weather Observer Alex L. Henle. This is far below the average and is one reason, why the ground is so exceptionally dry at this time of year.

Wells are drying up and many farmers in this community are compelled to drill deeper to secure a supply of water. Wells, which have never failed before are going dry and many have been abandoned.

This is one of the reasons for the demand for extensions of water mains in New Ulm, during the past several years. Property owners would rather have city water put in than stand the expense of having the family well made deeper.

Rivers and Lakes

are Low

The rivers in this part of the north-west are the lowest they have been for years. This is true of the Minnesota and Cottonwood rivers. Both are now merely streams. Lakes and sloughs are also lower than for years. Swan lake is now so low that the agitation for lowering its level has almost subsided. Lake Jefferson and Lake Emily, as well as other lakes in this part of the state are noticeably lower than they have been for years. Some say they are lower than ever before.

Lack of Rainfall.

The lowering of the water level in the rivers, lakes and sloughs of this part of the northwest, as well as the water level in the wells, is due to the lack of moisture, which has fallen during the past few years. The average precipitation for a twelve-month period in this part of Minnesota is 36 inches, according to Mr. Henle.

But few years since 1915 has this figure been exceeded. In 1916 the total precipitation was 46 inches. This was the high point set during the ten-year period, which will be closed this year.

In 1915, the precipitation was 31.64 inches. During the succeeding years the precipitation has been as follows:

1916, 46 inches; 1917, 25.43 inches;

1918, 36.99 inches; 1919, 39.45 inches;

1920, 34.02 inches; 1921, 23.33 inches

1922, 23.14 inches; 1923, 30.70 inches.

Thus it is seen that the past three years have been short on moisture.

During the past four winter seasons precipitation has been far below normal. Snowfall has been lacking and each spring has witnessed the ground unusually dry. The precipitation experienced during the winter months, commencing with October 1 and ending with April 1, each year, beginning with the 1915-’16 period is as follows: 1915-’16, 10.66 inches; 1916-’17, 8.94 inches; 1917-’18, 5.47 inches; 1918-’19, 17.63 inches; 1919 – ’20, 15.59 inches; 1920- ’21, 6.77 inches; 1921- ’22, 7.45 inches; 1922- ’23 9.05 inches and 1923 -’24, 6.59 inches.

Only Temporary

Condition.

U. G. Pursell, United States meteorological stationed at Minneapolis believes that conditions will be restored to normalcy in a few years.

Mr. Punsell states that according to the records Minneapolis that the shortage of moisture since 1915 has been nearly 20 inches.

“The continued shortage has had the effect of using up the supply of stored water in the earth near the surface, and of lowering by several feet the surface of the water in the lakes and great reservoirs,” states Mr. Pursell. “The streams are discharging much less water, and I am convince that the drying up of wells is due to this persistent shortage of rainfall and snowfall. However, climate is practically constant, and the shortage will be made up in the coming years. Timely and well-distributed rains will supply the immediate need of agriculture, and it is likely stored in a very few years.”

Brown County Journal,

April 18, 1924

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