Calls for water restrictions getting a little louder

Drought-like conditions continue to get the attention of city leaders on both sides of the river.

East Grand Forks is joining a growing list of municipalities asking residents to voluntary curb excess water use.

Right now East Grand Forks is using around 1.3 million gallons of water per day.  During the winter months that falls to around 900,000 gallons.

The move also comes as the U.S. Corps is considering making changes in the release of water at the dam on the Lower Red Lake.  A meeting to discuss the flow reductions is planned for Friday.

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Grand Forks is also looking to step up its voluntary call by asking residential water users in odd numbered homes to limit lawn watering to between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.  Those with even numbered homes Tuesdays and Fridays.

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Stream flow numbers continue to trend down.  At last check flows on the Red Lake River were 222 CFS vs 543 in May.  The Red River has dropped from 1920 CFS in May to 650 this week.

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Since June 1st the NWS office in Grand Forks has received 3.01 inches of rain – or half the average tally.  last year the rainfall totaled 8.35 inches.