Just a month ago, we worried about another drought in Iowa. Now the concern is too much water. Earlier today, I traveled to Tama County and saw the flooding up close, a reminder of what we experienced in Cedar Rapids in 2008.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources noted in its water summary of May 30, 2013, that the rainfall is setting records.
Read on for more from the DNR:
DES MOINES— Swinging from drought concerns to flooding worries within weeks, Iowa has set two precipitation record highs in 2013: the statewide average precipitation for March, April and May collectively at 16.65 inches; and a year-to-date precipitation total of 18.92 inches. These are highs among 141 years of records.
Shallow groundwater is normal to above normal across the state except for parts of the Rock River, which is still slightly below normal.
More than 81 percent of Iowa is drought-free and most of the rest of the state is upgraded to abnormally dry.
For a more thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends May 16 through May 29, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the US Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
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