Lawmakers should fund an Iowa drought center

After the devastating floods of 2008, the Iowa Flood Center was developed at the University of Iowa. The center collected reams of scattered data to create the Iowa Flood Information System.

The National Weather Service can provide river levels, relay crest forecasts and issue warnings. But the Flood Information System can show how every inch of flooding will affect communities, down to street level. It’s an invaluable tool for local officials responding to flood threats.

We know climate change is spawning more extreme weather conditions, including flooding. But what about droughts? Iowa is entering its fourth year of drought conditions, the longest stretch in decades.

So, according to reporting by The Gazette’s Britney Miller, researchers want to create a Drought Information System that would pull together data on stream flows, soil moisture measurements and groundwater levels providing a clearer picture of drought conditions for water utilities, industry and agriculture. Like the flood system, drought data would be housed in the UI Center for Hydrologic Development.

Currently, scattered data is difficult for decision-makers to gather and monitor. It’s much like in 2008 when local leaders were using an assortment of tools to project where floodwaters would hit, with mixed success. That’s no longer a problem thanks to the Flood Information System. The same would be true of a Drought Information System.

So it seems like a no-brainer. And yet, the idea has yet to attract funding.

Miller reported it would cost $300,000 upfront to build a website and fill it with data. Then, $150,000 would be needed annually to support the site and update it with new data and features.

Given the immense cost of droughts, the price tag is a bargain. Surely, the Iowa Legislature can find that funding within the state’s nearly $9 billion general fund budget. After all, the state is also sitting on billions in surplus bucks.

This is a good idea that should not languish for lack of financial support. We have the ways and the means to fund a Drought Information System. Lawmakers should find the dollars during this legislative session, and approve funding with broad bipartisan support.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com