‘Moderate drought’ now in NE and SW corners of Iowa

Three months after persistent drought conditions ended in the state, they now have returned with parts of Northeast and Southwest Iowa experiencing “moderate drought” and the rest of the state “abnormally dry.”

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday, about 95.58 percent of the state is abnormally dry, up from about 65 percent the week before. Moderate drought conditions were found in 4.4 percent of Iowa.

“It’s always concerning when you see drought pop up on the map, especially given the longevity of the last drought that we had,” said Justin Glisan, state climatologist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

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Glisan said this September so far has been the second-driest September on record in the state.

Counties with some percentage of moderate drought conditions include Fayette, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Dubuque, Chickasaw and Bremer in Northeast Iowa and Fremont in Southwest Iowa.

Of the moderate drought areas in the state, Glisan said they are “suggestive of longer term impacts,” like soil moisture depletion. Despite this, Glisan said this year still is in the top 20 wettest years.

Keith Schilling, a state geologist and director of the Iowa Geological Survey, said there should be some awareness about drought creeping into Iowa again, but its important to see how fall precipitation will play out.

“Fall is an important period for groundwater recharge in the state, after crops (deteriorate) and are harvested,” Schilling said. “Rainfall on harvested fields soaks into the ground and provides much needed recharge.”

Glisan said that the drought conditions could worsen if Iowa doesn’t receive sufficient rain, but this year’s crops, which are being harvested, should see little impact.

For nearly four years — 203 weeks — some part of Iowa had been in some level of drought conditions until May, after the state received record rainfall.

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s drought categories are:

Iowa’s neighboring states also are experiencing dry or drought conditions. For example, Illinois’ conditions include 54.97 percent of the state being “abnormally dry,” 43.79 percent in a “moderate drought” and 1.24 percent experiencing “severe drought.”

Farther east, Ohio is the only Midwestern state currently experiencing “extreme” and “exceptional” droughts.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Comments: (319) 398-8370; olivia.cohen@thegazette.com