Monthly Water Resource Summary

June 2024

Precipitation

June 2024 Indiana precipitation was below normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 97.6 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 73.2 degrees Fahrenheit or 2.3 degrees above normal.

All nine climate divisions received below normal precipitation for June (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 2 (SC) received the highest (89.1) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 9 (SE) received the lowest (29.3) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 87.5% to 120.2% through June. For the Water Year 2024, three of the nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation, ranging from 74.5% to 106.8%. Over the 2-year period (from Jul 2022-Jun 2024) all nine climate divisions have received below normal precipitation ranging from 83.5% for Climate Division 6 (EC) to 99.6% for Climate Division 3 (NE).

The 12-month SPI indices show Climate Division 3 (NE) in the "moderately wet" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category.    The 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 3-month SPI indices show climate divisions 2 (NC) and 5 (C) in the "moderately wet" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category.  The 1-month SPI indices show Climate Division 9 (SE) in the "severely dry" category, climate divisions 7 (SW) and 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 June 25, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the state is now experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions for all but the northern most counties. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts drought conditions to continue or develop for all but the northern tier of counties by the end of September 2024.

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

Streamflow

In June 2024, all of the streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had below normal to much below normal stream flow.  The Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the lowest mean monthly flow at 6%, and Kankakee River at Shelby had the highest mean monthly flow at 90%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On June 28, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 3 inches above the measurement taken on May 28, 2024, and approximately the same as the measurement taken on June 28, 2023. On June 30, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 579.72 feet, which is about 37 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for June set in 1964. Comparison of June monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 3 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 remain the same over the next month.

Reservoirs

On July 1, 2024, the water levels for seven of the eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were above normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from -2.1 feet (Patoka) to +0.80 feet (Mississinewa).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Eagle Creek, Geist, and Morse were above their respective normal pool elevations as of July 1, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from +0.19 feet (Geist) to +0.62 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of July 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