(Spencer)– There’s growing concern over a lack of subsoil moisture as we head toward spring.
Paul Kassel, a Crops Specialist with the Iowa State University Extension Service, says that’s the case even though we had much more snow this winter than in past years. He says most of the moisture from the snow simply ran off as it melted. The frozen ground prevented much of it from soaking in.
Kassel says it is helping boost the levels of lakes, rivers, streams and farm ponds…which were dangerously low last fall.
Subsoil moisture levels range anywhere from 1.9 inches near Spirit Lake to about three inches at Estherville. Typically Kassel says subsoil moisture should be about five inches this time of year.
He says we should be able to easily make up the deficit if beneficial rains fall in April…after the frost has gone out.
45 to 50 degree temperatures over the weekend and a warm rain Saturday night combined to deplete most of the snow pack in the area…with just piles left in open areas.
