Monthly Water Resource Summary

October 2024

Precipitation

October 2024 Indiana precipitation was much below normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 11.5 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.7 degrees above normal.

All nine climate divisions received much below normal precipitation for October (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 1 (NW) received the highest (33.6) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 4 (WC) received the lowest (4.7) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 87.6% to 103.6% through October. For the Water Year 2025, all nine climate divisions received much below normal precipitation, ranging from 4.7% to 33.6%. Over the 2-year period (from November 2022-October 2024) all nine climate divisions have received below normal precipitation ranging from 83.3% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 93.3% for Climate Division 7 (SW).

The 12-month indices show all climate division “near normal” category. The 6-month SPI indices shows climate divisions 3 (NE), 4 (WC), and 6 (EC) in the “moderately dry” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 3-month SPI indices shows climate divisions 2 (NC) and 3 (NE) in the “extremely dry”; Climate Division 4 in the “severely dry” category; climate divisions 1 (NE), 5 (C) and 6 (EC) in the “moderately dry” category with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 1-month SPI indices shows Climate Divisions 1 (NW) in the “moderately dry” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “extremely dry” 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 October 29, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of the northern two-thirds of the state is experiencing “moderate dry” or “severe drought” conditions while the rest of the state is experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions or near normal conditions. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts drought is likely to persist in the northern third of the state while the rest of the state is expected to have no drought conditions by the end of January 2025.

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

Streamflow

In October 2024, all the streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had much below normal stream flow. St. Mary’s River at Decatur had the lowest mean monthly flow at 12%, and the Kankakee River at Shelby had the highest mean monthly flow at 67%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On October 25, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 7 inches below the measurement taken on September 25, 2024, and 7 inches below the measurement taken on October 25, 2023. On October 31, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.61 feet, which is about 26 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for October set in 1964. Comparison of October monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 2 inches below 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 fall two inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On October 31, 2024, the water levels for two 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 -12.8 feet (Salamonie) to +0.1 feet (Brookville and Cagles Mill).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Eagle Creek and Morse, were below their respective normal pool elevations as of October 31, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from -0.08 feet (Morse) to -1.85 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of November 4, 2024, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are slightly below to below normal for all wells reported.

Real-time data is available for all of the wells and may be accessed on the U.S. Geological website.

• 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