Monthly Water Resource Summary

March 2025

Precipitation

March 2025 Indiana precipitation was well above normal, with average temperature near normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 126.5 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 46.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 5.3 degrees below normal.

All nine climate divisions received above to much above normal precipitation for March (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 1 (NW) received the highest (185.3) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 4 (WC) received the lowest (100.9) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2025) ranges from 62.5% to 118.8% through March. Precipitation for the Water Year 2025 to date ranges from 71.6% to 113.3% through March. Over the 2-year period (from April 2023-March 2025) all nine climate divisions have received below normal to slightly below normal precipitation ranging from 80.5% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 97.3% for Climate Divisions 1 (NW) and 8 (SC).

The 12-month SPI indices show Climate Division 8 (SC) in  the “moderately wet” category and all remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 6-month and the 3-month SPI indices show Climate Division 4 (WC) in the “moderately dry” category and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 1-month SPI indices show Climate Division 1 (NW) in the “moderately wet” category and all 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 1, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the northern-central part of the state is experiencing “Abnormally Dry” or “Moderate Drought” conditions. While the rest of the state is no longer experiencing any drought conditions, The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts no drought conditions by the end of June 2025.

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

Streamflow

In March 2025, eleven of the twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had slightly too much below normal flow. Sugar Creek at Crawfordsville had the lowest mean monthly flow at 34%, and the Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the highest mean monthly flow at 137%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On March 31, 2025, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 3 inches above the measurement taken on February 28, 2025, and 8 inches below the measurement taken on March 28, 2024. On March 31, 2025, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.12 feet, which is 25 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for March set in 1964. A comparison of March monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 7 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 rise 4 inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On March 31, 2025, the water levels for all eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were above the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from +0.5 feet (Cagles Mill) to +7.8 feet (from winter pool) (CM Harden).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Morse and Geist, and Eagle Creek were above their respective normal pool elevations as of March 31, 2025. The deviation from normal pool ranged from +0.34 feet (Morse) to +0.68 (Eagle Creek)

Groundwater Levels

As of March 31, 2025, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are below normal for LaPorte 9, Fulton 7, LaGrange 2, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, Randolph 3, Posey 3 and Clark 20. Water levels are much above normal for Harrison 8.

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