BOONE, Iowa—It’s not a surprise this week’s Water Summary released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows that early drought stages exists locally. The DNR prepares the report, but several agencies collaborate in the data, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. According to the report:
SUMMARY
Although statewide precipitation was near normal in June, there is a distinct dividing line between the wet conditions in northeast part of the state, and very dry conditions in the west and southwest parts of the state. The western areas of Iowa have been dry enough over the past month that areas of moderate drought (D1) have been introduced in the state for the first time in ten months. Increased demand for water during the hot summer weather will continue to put stress on shallow groundwater systems in western Iowa. Streamflow mostly normal in the state, with higher flows in the northeast, and lower flows in some watersheds in the west central part of the state.
DROUGHT MONITOR
Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions expanded slightly into the middle of June, mainly across western and north-central Iowa. While measurable rainfall was reported in western Iowa, generally drier conditions prevailed. The final map of the June, showed over 19 percent of northwestern and west-central Iowa rated at D0. The Drought Monitor map released today shows Moderate Drought (D1) in eight west-central counties, centered on Greene County. Portions of three counties in extreme northwest Iowa were also given the D1 designation. D0 conditions expanded northwest and southeast. Overall, D0 conditions cover 35 percent of Iowa with just over 7 percent rated as D1.
A large area of significant drought conditions persists to the south and west of Iowa. There is now an area of extreme drought (D3) covering much of southern Colorado, and portions of northern New Mexico, southwestern Kansas, and northwestern Texas and Oklahoma. A separate area of drought covers the Dakotas, Wyoming, and eastern Montana.
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