DES MOINES – June rainfalls brought precipitation during the first half of 2014 to above normal levels for the state. The June statewide average rainfall was almost ten inches, and for the most recent two weeks the rainfall of 4.3 inches was nearly double the normal of 2.2 inches.
Although most of Iowa received very wet weather during this period, there were exceptions: the far northwest portion of the state received a welcome reprieve from mid-June flooding, and in far southeast Iowa a few areas — centered on Van Buren County — consistently missed heavy rains.
Stream flows are either normal or much above normal for the majority of the state. In some locations stream flow levels are beginning to drop as excess water continues to move downstream.
Shallow groundwater is back to normal or near normal levels for July. Even wells located away from streams and rivers began to improve within a week of heavy rains received since June 11.
For a more thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to here.
The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
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