Monthly Water Resource Summary

April 2024

Precipitation

April 2024 Indiana precipitation was much above normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 151.0 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 55.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.6 degrees above normal.

All nine climate divisions received above normal or much above normal precipitation for April (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 1 (NW) received the highest (180.7) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 9 (SE) received the lowest (104.5) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 100.7% to 145.9% through April.

For the Water Year 2024, six of the nine climate divisions received below normal precipitation, ranging from 81.1% to 116.7%. Over the 2-year period (from May 2022 – April 2024) all nine climate divisions have received below normal to normal precipitation ranging from 85.4% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 100.1% for Climate Division 3 (NE).

The 12-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 3 (NE) in the “moderately wet” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 3-month and 6-month SPI indices show climate divisions 1 (NW), 2 (NC) and 3 (NE) in the “moderately wet” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 1-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 9 (SE) in the “near normal” category; climate divisions 7 (SW) and 8 (SC) in the “moderately wet” category; and the remaining climate divisions in the “very wet” category.

• Table of recent precipitation compared to normal for each climatic division of the state.
• Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) drought maps for the state for current month.
• Explanation of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)

U. S. Drought Monitor

For April 30, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the state is no longer experiencing any drought conditions. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts no drought conditions by the end of July 2024.

• State Map
• Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map for the United States 
• Learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor 

Streamflow

In April 2024, all the streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had near normal to much above normal stream flow.  The Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the lowest mean monthly flow at 99%, and the St. Mary’s River at Decatur had the highest mean monthly flow at 261%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On April 26, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 4 inches above the measurement taken on March 26, 2024, and 5 inches below the measurement taken on April 26, 2023. On April 30, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 579.13 feet, which is about 36 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for April set in 1964. Comparison of April monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were 2 inches above the average. All Lake Michigan-Huron data are referenced to the International Great Lakes Datum 1985.

The Lake Michigan-Huron water level is forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rise 3 inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On April 30 and May 1 (Upper Wabash), 2024, the water levels for all eight of the reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were at or above the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from 0.0 feet (Patoka) to +17.5 feet (Patoka).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Eagle Creek, and Geist, were below their respective normal pool elevations as of April 30, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from +0.29 feet (Geist) to +0.73 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of May 1, 2024, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are near normal for Laporte 9 and Fulton 7. Water levels are below normal for Lagrange 2, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, Randolph 3, Posey 3, Harrison 8 and Clark 20.

Real-time data is available for all of the wells and may be accessed on the following U.S. Geological website: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/current/?type=gw.

• Detailed information on groundwater levels

Acknowledgments
This report has been compiled from Division of Water data and from information supplied by the following:

Precipitation data:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI):
National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC)

Streamflow:
U.S. Geological Survey and State of Indiana cooperative program

Lake Michigan level data:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Reservoir data:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District

Groundwater level data:
U.S. Geological Survey and State of Indiana cooperative program

Temperature data:
Midwestern Regional Climate Center and Indiana State Climate Office, Purdue University