Monthly Water Resource Summary

March 2024

Precipitation

March 2024 Indiana precipitation was slightly below normal, with average temperature much above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 83.9 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 5.7 degrees above normal.

Six of the nine climate divisions received below normal precipitation for March (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 3 (NE) received the highest (144.2) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 8 (SC) received the lowest (49.5) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 87.3% to 129.0% through March.
For the Water Year 2024, all nine climate divisions received below to near normal precipitation, ranging from 68.9% to 98.7%. Over the 2-year period (from April 2022-March 2024) all nine climate divisions have received below normal to slightly below normal precipitation ranging from 80.9% for Climate Division 6 (EC) to 95.3% for Climate Division 3 (NE).

The 12-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 6 (EC) in the "moderately dry" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category.  The 6-month SPI indices shows climate divisions 6 (EC), 7 (SW), and 8 (SC) in the "moderately dry" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category. The 3-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 2 (NC) in the "moderately wet" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category.  The 1-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 8 (SC) in the "moderately dry" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" 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 2, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a large area in southwest Indiana that is experiencing "Abnormally Dry" to "Moderately Dry" conditions.  The rest of the state is no longer experiencing any drought conditions, The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts drought conditions to be over by the end of June 2024.

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

Streamflow

In March 2024, eleven of the twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had much below normal stream flow.  Sugar Creek at Crawfordsville had the lowest mean monthly flow at 30%, and the Whitewater River near Alpine had the highest mean monthly flow at 123%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On March 29, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 1 inch above the measurement taken on February 29, 2024, and 2 inches below the measurement taken on March 29, 2023. On March 31, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.71 feet, which is about 32 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for March set in 1964. Comparison of March monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were 2.4 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 1, 2024, the water levels for six of the eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were above the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from -4.7 feet (Harden) to +8.71 feet (Salamonie).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Eagle Creek and Geist, were below their respective normal pool elevations as of April 1, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from +0.23 feet (Geist) to +0.48 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of April 1, 2024, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are below to well below normal for all wells monitored.

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