(Des Moines)-- Dry conditions in late July resulted in degraded conditions across much of the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update from the DNR.

The expansion and emergence of moderate drought conditions across northern and western regions during July have kept the drought watch active in northwestern Iowa and triggered a new drought watch for southwestern Iowa.

At the end of July, Iowa’s statewide precipitation averaged 4.50 inches, which is 0.33 inches above normal. However, rainfall was unevenly distributed, with central to northeastern areas receiving two to three times their normal monthly totals while other regions experienced significant rainfall deficits. 

In the KILR listening area, almost all of Kossuth County, the northeastern corner of Emmet County, southern and eastern Palo Alto County, and the southern quarter of Clay County are in the D-I or moderate drought category. The rest of the listening area is in the D-0 abnormally dry category.