DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: rainfallReturn

Water Summary Update for June 2023: Drought Conditions Intensify after another dry month

• 7/6/2023 2:30:00 PM
• View Count 3573

DES MOINES - The state of Iowa experienced another dry month, with June providing 2.90 inches of rain, only 55 percent of normal. This continues the drier-than-normal trend seen in March, April, and May. The US Drought Monitor shows that nearly all Iowa faces some dryness or drought.

Drought watch in place with below normal rainfall in May

• 6/8/2023 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 3316

DES MOINES - The state of Iowa faced a dry May with only 2.54 inches of rainfall, which is just over half of its normal rainfall for the month. This lack of rainfall has led to deteriorating conditions in soil moisture and stream flows across the state. Southwest Iowa has been hit the hardest with less than two inches of rain, which is only 35 percent of expected May precipitation. As a result, Iowa's Drought Regions have been rated as "Drought Watch", indicating that at least three indicators in the ...

Water Summary Update: April 2023 - Another dry month

• 5/4/2023 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 2414

DES MOINES — Rainfall in April was just over two inches but 1.5 inches below normal for the month. This comes after a drier than normal March. As a result, streamflows are down across much of the state, and conditions are generally deteriorating in the eastern two-thirds of Iowa. While all of the Drought Regions of Iowa are rated as “normal, " downward trends are shown in the state's central, northeastern, and southeastern parts. The US Drought Monitor introduced a small area of moderate drought in so...

Water summary update for 2022 - Third year in a row of drought

• 1/5/2023 2:02:00 PM
• View Count 8625

2022 ended on a good note, with December’s precipitation above normal.

Water Summary Update: Iowa sees below normal rainfall for third month in a row

• 7/7/2022 11:28:00 AM
• View Count 4075

DES MOINES — Iowa’s June precipitation was 3.75 inches, 1.51 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Significant October rainfall improves Iowa drought conditions

• 11/4/2021 12:07:00 PM
• View Count 1745

DES MOINES —This October ranks as one of the top 10 wettest Octobers on record, with rainfall significantly improving drought conditions, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Water Summary Update: March sees above-average precipitation in Iowa

• 4/9/2020 1:34:00 PM
• View Count 2781

DES MOINES — Almost all stations across Iowa reported above average precipitation in March, with some locations reporting 2 to 2.5 inches above normal rainfall, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Heavy rainfall causes multiple wastewater and manure releases

• 5/29/2019 6:43:00 AM
• View Count 2820

SPENCER -- Following heavy rainfall and flash flooding throughout much of Iowa, the DNR encourages Iowans to stay out of Iowa streams until after the waters recede.

Heavy rains, flooding causing park closures across Iowa

• 5/26/2019 6:15:00 PM
• View Count 3863

DES MOINES, Iowa – Rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall lately is forcing some state parks to be closed this Memorial Day weekend.

Water Summary Update: Rapid runoff led to historic flooding in March

• 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM
• View Count 2715

DES MOINES — Although statewide precipitation was slightly below average in March, a combination of high precipitation in Nebraska, snowmelt and rapid runoff led to historic flooding along the Missouri River, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Water Summary Update: 2018 second only to 1993 in precipitation

• 1/10/2019 1:41:00 PM
• View Count 3314

DES MOINES — in 2018, Iowa received 45 inches of rainfall – nearly 10 inches more than normal. That puts 2018 second only to 1993 for average statewide precipitation, according to the year-end Water Summary Update.

Water Summary Update shows expanding dry areas in Iowa

• 7/13/2017 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 4304

DES MOINES – Despite some rainfall across the state and local flooding in northeast Iowa, there is a growing area of dry conditions now covering almost half the state.

Water Summary Update shows normal conditions continue into June

• 6/8/2017 1:48:00 PM
• View Count 3658

DES MOINES - Average rainfall and streamflow have prevailed across most of Iowa and groundwater conditions rated normal as well, leaving conditions generally good statewide. 

Heavy rainfall causes some wastewater overflows in northwest Iowa

• 9/16/2016 3:41:00 PM
• View Count 3722

SPENCER – Reports of wastewater discharges caused by heavy rains are trickling into environmental field offices for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Water Summary Update: Iowa Rainfall About Normal for this Time of Year

• 8/11/2016 2:13:00 PM
• View Count 4030

DES MOINES— The most recent two-week period in Iowa has been slightly warmer than normal, including a five-day stretch of hot and humid weather, but receiving about the average amount of rain. 

Heavy Rainfall Closes Shooting Range At Hawkeye Wildlife Area

• 6/22/2016 1:55:00 PM
• View Count 4883

IOWA CITY - The Tim Dorr rifle and handgun range at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area is closed after a nearly six inch rainfall Tuesday night damaged the recently completed renovation on the popular shooting range.

Wastewater Discharge Reaches Little Storm Lake Wildlife Area; Heavy Rain Causes Discharges Throughout State

• 12/14/2015 10:23:00 AM
• View Count 3996

DES MOINES – Heavy rainfall throughout much of the state has overloaded many wastewater treatment systems in Iowa, causing wastewater discharges.