Only minor portions of the region remain officially afflicted by light drought circumstances as the season heads toward Thanksgiving.
University Extension has reported that only small geographic locations of modest drought conditions linger in the southern areas of Platte and Clay counties.
“There are, however, several areas of our state still considered abnormally dry, including parts of north Missouri,” said Tim Baker, a horticulturalist based in Daviess County.
Baker said above-normal rainfall returned to Gallatin, Missouri, in August.
September saw below-normal precipitation for the city, he added, yet with some unexpected rains occurring in October.
“Our total in Gallatin was an amazing 9.56 inches,” said Baker.
“I have heard reports of even higher amounts for other locations in Daviess County.” He cautioned that while a recharge of soil moisture has been achieved to some degree, the deeper subsurface soil may remain somewhat dry in areas where drought was the greatest.
“The runoff, however, was of great benefit to our ponds, lakes and reservoirs,” Baker said.
“The city reservoirs for both Cameron and Hamilton are back to full capacity.
Hamilton reports that when it started raining again in October, within five days the water was topping the spillway.