Little Change In Iowa's Drought

(Undated) -- The latest drought monitor map shows little improvement in Iowa. Most of the state is either abnormally dry or in some form of drought. Last month the state recorded just over 3.5 inches of rain, about a half inch below normal. State hydrologists say August was the fifth month in a row of below normal statewide average rainfall. This week's map shows some improvement in southwest and central Iowa, but drought conditions worsened in southeast Iowa. Streamflow, soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels are all lower than normal in northwest and southeast Iowa.