DES MOINES — Iowa’s Water Year, which covers Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30 was the first with above-normal precipitation since 2019, and saw the end of the four year drought in Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update. However, a record breaking dry September is raising concerns for 2025.

Precipitation for the last water year was 36 inches, or 0.38 inches above normal, with increased rainfall numbers beginning in October 2023 through July of this year.

Since then, precipitation has dropped to below normal levels. September’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 0.72 inches, which is the driest September on record for the state. Statewide temperatures for the month came in at 67.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal. According to local record keeping, Marshall County finished the month of September with a meager 0.22 inches rain and an average temperature of 79.5.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Iowa in abnormally dry conditions or drought conditions, with portions of Monona and Harrison counties in western Iowa showing severe drought. This is the first time since May that any area of the state has carried a severe drought designation.

For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, visit www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.