Subsoil moisture conditions this fall are varied across the northwest corner of Iowa. Extension Agronomist Leah Ten Napel measures subsoil moisture in the fall at 11 locations in her district. Most of the sites showed soil moisture levels higher this fall compared to the fall of 2023. Readings in the northern part of the district were between 6.21 inches of plant available moisture at the Le Mars site, to 8.1 inches at Sanborn. The sites at Lawton and Castana were 3.44 and 4.18 inches. Most of the readings were higher than those of a year ago,
Le Mars’ reading was similar to last fall, when 6.28 inches was recorded. Other readings this fall include 7.82 inches at Ireton, 5.76 near Marcus, No reading was recorded at Akron.
The report from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says the growing season was marked by extremes of wet and dry conditions. This past spring was the third wettest on record for northwest Iowa, and the summer was the 15th wettest on record. Then the precipitation ended. September and October were the 2nd driest on record. A soil recharge came from rains in late October and early November
By last Thursday, only a smal portion of south central Iowa was drought free. Most of the rest of the state was abnormally dry or in moderate drought. Parts of Sioux, Plymouth, Woodbury and Monona Counties were in severe drought.
