Counties with the worst droughts in Iowa

Written by:
September 27, 2024
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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.

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Emma Rubin // Stacker

Iowa statistics

- Abnormally dry: 83.8%
- Area in drought: 10.2% (#39 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 10.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Mills County

- Abnormally dry: 99.7%
- Area in drought: 0.3%
--- Moderate drought: 0.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Suzanne Tucker // Shutterstock

Audubon County

- Abnormally dry: 99.2%
- Area in drought: 0.8%
--- Moderate drought: 0.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Plymouth County

- Abnormally dry: 98.9%
- Area in drought: 1.1%
--- Moderate drought: 1.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Black Hawk County

- Abnormally dry: 97.9%
- Area in drought: 2.1%
--- Moderate drought: 2.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Joel McCartan // Shutterstock

O'Brien County

- Abnormally dry: 97.4%
- Area in drought: 2.6%
--- Moderate drought: 2.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Doug Lambert // Shutterstock

Buchanan County

- Abnormally dry: 97.2%
- Area in drought: 2.8%
--- Moderate drought: 2.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Sioux County

- Abnormally dry: 97.2%
- Area in drought: 2.9%
--- Moderate drought: 2.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Cass County

- Abnormally dry: 95.8%
- Area in drought: 4.2%
--- Moderate drought: 4.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Crawford County

- Abnormally dry: 85.0%
- Area in drought: 15.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Dubuque County

- Abnormally dry: 76.4%
- Area in drought: 23.6%
--- Moderate drought: 23.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Chickasaw County

- Abnormally dry: 72.7%
- Area in drought: 27.3%
--- Moderate drought: 27.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Allamakee County

- Abnormally dry: 69.0%
- Area in drought: 29.8%
--- Moderate drought: 29.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Pottawattamie County

- Abnormally dry: 59.6%
- Area in drought: 40.4%
--- Moderate drought: 40.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Dickinson County

- Abnormally dry: 56.4%
- Area in drought: 43.6%
--- Moderate drought: 43.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Winneshiek County

- Abnormally dry: 54.6%
- Area in drought: 45.4%
--- Moderate drought: 45.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Arlen E Breiholz // Shutterstock

Clayton County

- Abnormally dry: 54.5%
- Area in drought: 45.5%
--- Moderate drought: 45.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Monona County

- Abnormally dry: 46.3%
- Area in drought: 53.7%
--- Moderate drought: 53.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Bremer County

- Abnormally dry: 43.8%
- Area in drought: 56.2%
--- Moderate drought: 56.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Fremont County

- Abnormally dry: 42.6%
- Area in drought: 57.4%
--- Moderate drought: 57.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Shelby County

- Abnormally dry: 11.1%
- Area in drought: 88.9%
--- Moderate drought: 88.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Lyon County

- Abnormally dry: 5.2%
- Area in drought: 94.8%
--- Moderate drought: 94.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Fayette County

- Abnormally dry: 2.7%
- Area in drought: 97.3%
--- Moderate drought: 97.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Gabe Shakour // Shutterstock

Osceola County

- Abnormally dry: 0.7%
- Area in drought: 99.3%
--- Moderate drought: 99.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Harrison County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- 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.

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