Although April rainfall is close to normal (and may actually be a bit above normal by month end) we are still more than 6 inches below normal for the water year.   So, while the pasture and lawn are green, growth rates are much slower than usual.  Trees are leafing out as expected.  Growth in the prairie is harder to evaluate but does not show any extraordinary signs of dryness.  Creeks are rising but, while the river is up from its earlier very low levels, it is still lower than normal for this time.