OTTUMWA — A look at the U.S. Geological Survey's streamflow data shows southern Iowa is getting hit hard by weeks of hot, dry weather.
The USGS data shows most of the measurement sites in southern Iowa are well below normal levels. While relatively few communities have raised concerns about water conservation, that is a concern if the dry pattern continues. Ottumwa and Fairfield both say there are no current plans to ask people to reduce water usage, but the town of New Sharon, in Mahaska County, has taken that step.
Only one of the USGS sites in southeast Iowa indicates normal water levels. That's on the Chariton River near the Lake Rathbun reservoir.
New data on the drought will be released tomorrow.
View Iowa stream flow 7/25 in a larger map
Map source: USGS
