Wildlife severely affected by drought in northern Minnesota
9/26/2021 1:17:53 AM
CATEGORIES:
Plants & Wildlife
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Minnesota
Aitkin County, MN
Becker County, MN
Beltrami County, MN
Carlton County, MN
Cass County, MN
Clay County, MN
Clearwater County, MN
Cook County, MN
Crow Wing County, MN
Douglas County, MN
Grant County, MN
Hubbard County, MN
Itasca County, MN
Kanabec County, MN
Kittson County, MN
Koochiching County, MN
Lake County, MN
Lake of the Woods County, MN
Mahnomen County, MN
Marshall County, MN
Mille Lacs County, MN
Morrison County, MN
Norman County, MN
Otter Tail County, MN
Pennington County, MN
Pine County, MN
Polk County, MN
Red Lake County, MN
Roseau County, MN
Saint Louis County, MN
Todd County, MN
Traverse County, MN
Wadena County, MN
Wilkin County, MN
Douglas County, WI
Start Date: 8/29/2021
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Drought in northern Minnesota has been harsh and has taken a painful toll on fish, wildlife and forests. Fish in Northland streams are in a series of pools with little to no flow in recent weeks. It is likely many fish have perished. Fall-spawning fish will not be able to reach their spawning beds this year unless some significant rain falls soon. Winter kill will also be a problem.
A late May hard freeze, heat and drought made the blueberry and nut crop almost nonexistent. Bears are struggling to find food and were unhealthy, which may mean bears will have fewer cubs come spring.
The leaves of some aspen, birch and balm of Gilead trees have turned brown and shriveled more than six weeks early. The stress of drought makes trees vulnerable to insects and disease years later.
Park Rapids Enterprise (Minn.), Aug 29, 2021
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