It's been one soggy year in Waseca.
So wet, in fact, that the 0.34 inches of rain that fell in the southern Minnesota city last Monday set a state record for annual precipitation.
Through Monday, 53.78 inches of snow and rain had fallen in Waseca, breaking the record set in 1991, when St. Francis recorded 53.52 inches of rain and snow. With more rain before week's end, Waseca's total had surpassed 54 inches.
"Each day they are breaking a new state record," said Michelle Margraf, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Most of the precipitation came in late September, when more than 10 inches of rain fell in two days, washing out roads and causing flash flooding.
Staff report
sTATEWIDE
Applicants sought for Parks Committee
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council and Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission are seeking applicants to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee.
The committee promotes and coordinates implementation of the 25-Year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan, which is intended to create a seamless network of state and regional parks and trails connecting people to the outdoors. Funding recommendations for individual projects are not a part of the committee's work. The deadline for applications is Dec. 14.
The 17-member committee is made up of park and trail professionals and Minnesota residents. Members serve two-year terms with the option of being reappointed a maximum of three terms. Meetings are scheduled every two months at locations around the state and can be attended remotely.
Those interested may complete the application form online on the Minnesota Legacy website or print it out and return it to Paul Purman, Department of Natural Resources, Box 39, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Contact Purman at 651-259-5643 or e-mail paul.purman@state.mn.us with questions.
Mark Brunswick @markabrunswick
Lac Qui Parle
Heavy rains raising reservoir levels
Heavy rains drenched west-central Minnesota last week, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is keeping a careful eye on the Laq Qui Parle Dam.
Engineers discovered a sinkhole on the dam's downstream embankment in October, as well as scouring under the abutment wall footings and dam's concrete apron. Although the issues weren't an imminent threat to the dam's integrity, the Corps announced last week that it was increasing the dam flow, as water levels in the reservoir continue to rise.
More than an inch of rain fell in the region last weekend. Coupled with snow melt, the lake elevation is expected to rise to 938 feet by mid-December. The normal level for this time of year is 934 feet, the Corps said.
Jennifer Brooks @stribrooks
