Drought expands in Iowa

Iowa received 3.98 inches of rain in July, slightly less than normal, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

However, the continued lack of rainfall led to the expansion of drought conditions and the return of the extreme drought classification for the first time since April.

About 75 percent of the state is rated in some level of drought, with severe drought covering over one quarter of Iowa, and extreme drought covering almost 7 percent.

Since early July, drought conditions have improved across western and southern Iowa but have deteriorated in east central and northeast parts of the state.

The extreme drought designation covers the largest area of the state in nearly a year.

This dryness is reflected in decreasing streamflows in central and north-central Iowa and continued concern for shallow groundwater supplies in some areas of the state.

The area of concern for shallow groundwater has shifted from northwest Iowa to north-central Iowa.

About 82 percent of the subsoil in northwest Iowa is rated as being short or very short of moisture, while soil moisture levels in west central and central Iowa are 77 percent short or very short. Soil moisture levels are generally better across the southern third of the state.

More information is at iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Water-Summary-Update