Counties with the worst droughts in Iowa
Over one-third of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering all of the state's area.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Iowa with the worst droughts as of Sept. 24, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. "Abnormally dry" is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Iowa statistics
- Area in drought: 10.2% (#39 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 10.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Mills County
- Area in drought: 0.3%
--- Moderate drought: 0.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Audubon County
- Area in drought: 0.8%
--- Moderate drought: 0.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Plymouth County
- Area in drought: 1.1%
--- Moderate drought: 1.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Black Hawk County
- Area in drought: 2.1%
--- Moderate drought: 2.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
O'Brien County
- Area in drought: 2.6%
--- Moderate drought: 2.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Buchanan County
- Area in drought: 2.8%
--- Moderate drought: 2.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sioux County
- Area in drought: 2.9%
--- Moderate drought: 2.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Cass County
- Area in drought: 4.2%
--- Moderate drought: 4.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Crawford County
- Area in drought: 15.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dubuque County
- Area in drought: 23.6%
--- Moderate drought: 23.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Chickasaw County
- Area in drought: 27.3%
--- Moderate drought: 27.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Allamakee County
- Area in drought: 29.8%
--- Moderate drought: 29.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Pottawattamie County
- Area in drought: 40.4%
--- Moderate drought: 40.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dickinson County
- Area in drought: 43.6%
--- Moderate drought: 43.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Winneshiek County
- Area in drought: 45.4%
--- Moderate drought: 45.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Clayton County
- Area in drought: 45.5%
--- Moderate drought: 45.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Monona County
- Area in drought: 53.7%
--- Moderate drought: 53.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Bremer County
- Area in drought: 56.2%
--- Moderate drought: 56.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Fremont County
- Area in drought: 57.4%
--- Moderate drought: 57.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Shelby County
- Area in drought: 88.9%
--- Moderate drought: 88.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lyon County
- Area in drought: 94.8%
--- Moderate drought: 94.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Fayette County
- Area in drought: 97.3%
--- Moderate drought: 97.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Osceola County
- Area in drought: 99.3%
--- Moderate drought: 99.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Harrison County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 45 states.