Iowa’s dry conditions continued throughout last month as the state recorded its 15th driest October on record. According to Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hydrology Resources Coordinator Tim Hall, “The wet October of 2021 was not repeated this year, so unfortunately, the state slipped further into drought during October 2022. Nine of the ten months this year have been below normal for rainfall, with only limited improvement seen in the last week. Wetter conditions are needed to help replenish soil moisture, shallow groundwater, and surface water as we head into the winter months.” Overall precipitation was 1.8 inches below average statewide, which marks the seventh consecutive month of rainfall deficits. Early rains in November helped alleviate some of the drought pressures. Still, nearly all the state remains in some form of drought as winter approaches. The Water Summary Update is prepared monthly by staff from the DNR, Iowa Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Geological Survey, and others. The report in its entirety is included below.
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Water Summary Update
