Minn. DNR Lets Lutsen Draw Water For Snowmaking

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The DNR is allowing Lutsen Mountains ski area to continue drawing water for snowmaking despite drought in northeastern Minnesota.

A new state law that allows Lutsen Mountain Corp. to draw up to 150 million gallons from the river this fall normally would require it to quit pumping when the flow falls below 15 cubic feet per second for more than five straight days. But the DNR believes there is just cause to issue the resort a permit — based on the economic impacts if Lutsen was forced to shut down.

The river is a designated trout stream, but the DNR says the number of fish affected would be relatively small.

But DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr says the Poplar River is not a long-term sustainable water source for the ski area.

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