(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Elk Horn (IA), Monday night, said on social media, that Shelby County Emergency Management officials flew a drone equipped with a thermal imaging device near the City’s water tower, and confirmed fears city officials had, that the supply of water in the tower was extremely low. The imager showed about six- to eight-feet of water remained in the bottom of the tower bowl. The sensor at the city’s water plant was giving the City a different reading, causing them to believe the tower was almost full.

Drone thermal image of the Elk Horn water tower (6-16-25).

City officials say a company was on the scene Monday, following the drone image, to fix the tower sensor. The City also reached out to IRWA (Iowa Rural Water Association) for a leak detection device, to further assess the situation, and the City of Elk Horn is back to actively searching for the water leak. Officials in the mean time are asking everyone to please conserve water until the leak is found and fixed.

A Boil Advisory remains in effect until further notice for the City of Elk Horn.