DES MOINES—Increasing concern about dry conditions in northwest Iowa has led three state agencies and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to create a brief visual summary of four ways to look at the status of Iowa’s water resources to convey this information to citizens and the news media. The report is called, “Water Summary Update.”

Today’s Water Summary Update shows that despite recent statewide rainfall, northwest Iowa is an area of concern.  Field observations by DNR staff are consistent with the data collected by the USGS and local water operators.  Shallow groundwater levels are causing concern in communities, and streams and ponds are, in some areas, very low.  It is hoped that normal spring rains will bring long-term relief to that part of the state.

These Updates―which will be published every two weeks or as conditions significantly change―will include information on streamflow, groundwater and precipitation for the state, as well as the Drought Monitor, published every week by the University of Nebraska. The Update will be distributed to the news media and will be posted on the DNR website for citizens to view at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WaterSummaryUpdate.aspx.

The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the USGS, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.