Almost a quarter of state in moderate drought

DES MOINES — Areas of moderate drought are expanding in Iowa, with one area of severe drought in west-central Iowa.

According to the new Iowa Drought Monitor released on Thursday, 94% of the state was in some level of drought or in the “abnormally dry” category, the same percentage as last week, but the amount of “D-1 Moderate Drought” grew from 10% to 23% in the last seven days, and now includes far eastern Butler County in our immediate listening area. The rest of the listening area is in the “D-0 Abnormally Dry” category.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa Field Office ag statistician Melissa Couch says the majority of topsoil and subsoil moisture readings statewide are in the short or very short category.  She says topsoil moisture is rated 15% very short, 44% short, 41% adequate and 0% surplus; while subsoil moisture is 11% very short, 44% short, 44% adequate and 1% surplus.

Here in the north-central crop reporting district, topsoil moisture is 6% very short, 55% short, 39% adequate and 0% surplus; while subsoil moisture is 5% very short, 52% short, 43% adequate and 0% surplus.

“D-2 Severe Drought” is being reported in one patch in west-central Iowa that covers southern Monona and northwestern Harrison counties. D-1 Moderate Drought is being reported in far northwestern Iowa, northeastern and east central Iowa, and west-central and southwestern Iowa.