DES MOINES — This fall’s wet weather has pulled the entire state out of drought conditions for the first time since May 2017, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Streamflow is above normal in most locations, and shallow groundwater has recharged across all of the state.
"The wetter than normal fall months have resulted in Iowa having abundant shallow groundwater going into the winter months," said Tim Hall, DNR’s coordinator of hydrology resources.
September, October and November saw temperatures about 2 degrees below normal, but 6 inches more rainfall than normal. That makes it the third wettest fall on record, and the wettest since 1941. Temperatures in November were 6.6 degrees cooler than usual.
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.