Over half of Iowa ‘drought-free’
DNR offers warning about rain swollen rivers
Statewide rainfall during the month of June exceeded expected averages and carried over into July.
According to the latest water summary update published by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on July 10, drought and dryness remained practically unchanged until the end of June and into July.
Areas in northwest, southwest and southeast Iowa saw some improvements to moderate drought conditions while much of southern Iowa remains under a drought watch as a result of longer stretches without significant rainfall.
According to last Friday’s release, nearly 5.9 inches of rain fell across Iowa, over 0.6 inches above average.
Much of the rain fell in the final days of June and the first few days of July.
Overall statewide precipitation was above-average for the western two-thirds of Iowa. A large portion of central Iowa saw upwards of 150% of their average precipitation during June.
The wettest conditions were reported along the Iowa-Missouri border while pockets of Northwest Iowa saw almost 200% of their average monthly precipitation.
Meanwhile, much of eastern Iowa remained drier than usual.
As a result, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that drought-like conditions have improved across much of the state and saw upgraded drought conditions in parts of western Iowa.
By the end of June, almost 60% of the state was considered drought-free.
The Climate Predication Center’s Seasonal Drought Outlook suggests that drought removal is possible in parts of northwestern, southern and Northeastern Iowa as summer continues.
The outlook also predicts limited drought expansion despite previous and future below-average rainfall expectations.
DNR warns about river safety
In a separate release last week, the DNR also urged paddlers to stay out of rain swollen rivers until they return to safe levels.
”All paddlers, even experienced paddlers, should stay off of rain swollen rivers,” said Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and Outreach Coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa DNR. “If a river level is at the top or out of its bank, don’t try to paddle on it.”
Between heightened water levels, obstacles like branches or other debris and some construction near waterways, the DNR suggests that paddlers should proceed with caution.
”Swollen rivers are super powerful with unpredictable current and tons of wood or branch piles coming downstream that can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater,” Robertson said. “These deadly hazards are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest, but can be found anywhere on rivers including at the base of bridge piers.”
Paddlers planning to take to the Little Sioux River near Cherokee should continue to be mindful of construction on the Highway 3 bypass bridge that is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the summer.
Last month Sarah Tracy, former Cherokee County Engineer and current District 3 Transportation Planner at the Iowa Department of Transportation, offered a similar warning to that of the DNR.
”It is very dangerous for kayakers at the bridge. If they get into the current, it is nearly impossible to get out of it,” she told the Chronicle Times. “This would be a bad situation, considering we have several pipes in the river so we can make a crossing to get equipment back and forth.”
Residents and visitors alike have expressed the same concern.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as of July 14 the Little Sioux River was cresting at just over 9 feet in Cherokee — well below the 15 foot action stage.
The DNR recommends paddlers pay attention to dam warning signs and to identify where existing dams are before they take to the water.
