DES MOINES —March brought 2.5 inches of rain to Iowa, the third month in a row of wetter than normal conditions. Despite this moisture, an area of persistent dryness remains in southern and southeast Iowa.
“The state is entering into the normally wetter months, so hopefully we will see improvement in the driest parts of the state, while avoiding any extensive spring flooding," said Tim Hall, Hydrology Resources Coordinator for the Iowa DNR.
This March was wetter than normal, with some areas getting more than 150 percent of normal rainfall. Temperatures across Iowa were generally cooler than normal, especially in eastern and southeastern Iowa, where temperatures were, on average, four to five degrees cooler than normal. These cooler temperatures have slowed vegetative growth, helping to maintain soil moisture levels for the upcoming growing season.
Streamflow conditions in much of the state remain in the normal range, and shallow groundwater conditions continue to improve.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.