Rains causing flooding but also ending drought in Minnesota

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(Chanhassen, MN) -- River levels remain high over much of Minnesota, with portions of the Mississippi, St. Louis, Crow and Cottonwood rivers at flood stage.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota and St. Croix rivers are approaching flood stage, following heavy rains in the past week. Another weather extreme could hit northern Minnesota tonight as forecasters have issued a frost watch over much of the area until early Thursday.

Parts of Minnesota have quickly gone from a rain deficit to a rain surplus. National Weather Service hydrologist Diane Cooper says northeastern Minnesota is happy with the drenching it's received in recent days. Cooper says there's been quite a bit of rain in the lower part of the Arrowhead, which they can really use. Some of Lake and Cook Counties have suffered from chronic drought for more than a year - and recent rains will help alleviate if not end the problem. However, drought conditions still exist over northwestern Minnesota, along with small areas of southern Minnesota and the Arrowhead.

Standing water still dots the Minnesota farm landscape, meaning potential losses of cash crops. U-of-M Extension Specialist Dave Nicolai says corn and soybeans that are submergedcan survive up to three- or four-days, however, other problems like mold can develop as a result. In some cases, Nicolai says farmers will have to either re-plant crops or give up on the acreage this season and take a crop insurance payment The recent rains have boosted soil moisture around the state.

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