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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Hall, Iowa DNR, 515-452-6633 or Tim.Hall@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES — The end of September brought the 2021 Water Year to a close, and drought conditions have not improved significantly as the state moves into fall.
The “Water Year” is defined as the period between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, a period of time used because precipitation that falls after Oct. 1 tends to benefit the next growing season. The 2021 Water Year ended on Sept. 30, and Iowa’s preliminary precipitation total for the 12-month period was 29.15 inches, or 6.53 inches below normal.
Most rain gauges in the state reported precipitation deficits for the water year, with some stations in north-central Iowa seeing deficits of 12 inches to 15 inches during the last 12 months. Only stations in extreme southeast Iowa recorded surplus precipitation. Current drought conditions in Iowa are still concerning, with 18 percent of the state rated in Severe Drought, and a total of 75 percent of the state in some form of dryness or drought.
Average streamflow was below average for much of the last 12 months, with some areas setting above-normal flow for short periods of time throughout the year. Soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels have been low in some parts of the state for much of the water year, with timely rainfall helping to avoid water shortages during times of concern.
“The 2021 Water Year ended with less precipitation across the state than the 2020 Water Year, which is not where we wanted to be,” said Tim Hall, Hydrology Resources Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “We are hoping for wet weather this fall to replenish soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels. If we don’t see normal to above normal rainfall before the ground freezes we could start 2022 in a difficult position.”
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to iowadnr.gov/WaterSummaryUpdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
MEDIA CONTACT: Tamara McIntosh, DNR, at 515-725-8242 or Tamara.Mcintosh@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions.
Consent Orders
A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.
Clarke County
City of Osceola
Comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit; complete construction of the wastewater treatment facility upgrades necessary to comply with its permit by Jan. 1, 2024; submit a construction progress report by Dec.1 of every year until the facility upgrades are complete; and pay a $2,500 administrative penalty.
Clayton County
Three Rivers FS Company
Cease all illegal discharges to waters of the State; provide documentation that all storm water was legally disposed of from the Elkader Three Rivers; and pay a $6,000.00 administrative penalty.
Crawford County
Malachi Schroeder
Submit an original manure management plan; submit filing fee, indemnity fee, and compliance fee and pay a $3,000 administrative penalty.
Pottawattamie County
Feedlot Services Company/Fred Roane
Submit a list of liquid and solid material sources prior to land application; discontinue the land application of all putrescible products; cease illegal disposal of solid waste and comply with all solid waste and land application laws in the future; ensure all trucks used to haul bi-products are properly equipped and maintained to prevent leachate leaks; do not stockpile paunch manure without prior approval; construct total containment for the open cattle feedlot; utilize a nutrient management plan for the manure produced at the feedlot; maintain land application records of all solid and liquid manure produced at the feedlot; and pay a $9,000 administrative penalty.
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