Most of north-central Iowa now in severe drought

DES MOINES — A majority of north-central Iowa is now in severe drought according to the latest Iowa Drought Monitor Report.

All of Franklin, Wright and Butler counties, all but the extreme northwest corner of Floyd County, the northern two-thirds of Cerro Gordo and Hancock counties, and far eastern Mitchell County are all in the “D2-Severe Drought” category.

The map was released on Thursday but the drought data was valid prior to the rain that fell over the last couple of days.

The rest of the listening area is in the “D1-Moderate Drought” level.

USDA Iowa ag statistician Melissa Couch says soil moisture levels continue to worsen.  “Topsoil moisture condition rated 43% very short, 42% short, 15% adequate and 0% surplus. Topsoil moisture condition rated at least 75% short to very short across the state. Subsoil moisture condition rated 34% very short, 46% short, 20% adequate and 0% surplus.”

Here in the north-central crop reporting district, topsoil moisture was 53% very short, 33% short, 14% adequate and 0% surplus; while the subsoil moisture was 35% very short, 48% short, 17% adequate and 0% surplus.

Just under 51% of the state is now in the severe drought level.