DES MOINES — Drought conditions in Iowa changed thanks to the wettest August since 2007, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Iowa received 6.19 inches of rainfall in August, 1.99 inches above the 30-year climatological average. Northern portions of the state received above normal rainfall, while southern portions received below normal rainfall in the first part of the month, then above average rainfall after that.
As a result, shallow groundwater conditions improved dramatically in the last two weeks over south central and southeast Iowa. Streamflow conditions in much of the state remained in the above and much above normal condition. Many areas have received more than 10 inches of rainfall, but slight drought conditions still exist in Keokuk County and portions of Van Buren, Henry and Des Moines counties. Meanwhile, parts of central, east central and northeast Iowa have dealt with flooding.
Temperatures across the state were slightly warmer than average at 72 degrees, about a half of a degree warmer than normal. The highest temperature recorded during the month was 100 degrees in Lamoni on Aug. 6, and the coolest overnight low was 41 degrees in Cherokee on Aug, 29.
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.