DES MOINES—Recent rains have improved groundwater levels across Iowa, while the National Drought Monitor shows about a third of the state still rated as abnormally dry. Heavy rains that fell on July 19 will be reflected in the next update.

Substantial rainfall during July has improved shallow groundwater conditions in central Iowa and most of southeast Iowa from slight drought to normal.  A small region of southeast Iowa continues to be in slight drought conditions.  Shallow groundwater levels in most of northwest, southwest and northeast Iowa continue to be above normal for July.

In the past two weeks, the average statewide rainfall has been about 4.02 inches, nearly double the normal amount for this period. Two-week rain totals varied from a 1.56 inches at Akron up to 9.01 inches near Red Oak.

Temperatures across Iowa have averaged near normal for the period, just 0.4 degrees lower than typical July readings. Streamflow conditions remain above normal for most of the state. For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.