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Water > Water Availability / Use / Rights > Water Resource Updates (updated monthly) > Monthly Water Resource Summary Monthly Water Resource Summary

October, 2013

Precipitation
October 2013 Indiana precipitation was generally above normal across the state, while the temperature was near normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was about 135% of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 54.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 0.8 degrees above normal.

Each of Indiana’s nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation for the month of October. The southeastern climate division received the highest (185.9) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while the northeastern division received the lowest (101.6) percentage.

For the year to date, each of Indiana’s nine climate divisions have received above normal to somewhat above normal precipitation, ranging from 100.8% for the east-central climate division to 120.8% for the southwestern division. For the 2013 water year, which began October 1, 2013, total precipitation is the same as the October monthly precipitation. Over the longer duration (from January 2012) none of Indiana’s nine climate divisions has received above normal precipitation. For the longer duration, the ranges are from 90.7% for the northeastern climate division to 97.8% for the central division.

For the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) long-term 12-month index, each of Indiana’s nine climate divisions lie in the “near normal” category. The 6-month SPI index also shows each of the nine climate divisions in the “near normal” range. Likewise, for the 3-month index, the entire state lies in the “near normal” category. The 1-month index shows the southwestern climate division in the “moderately wet” range. Indiana’s remaining eight climate divisions are in the “near normal” category. 

U. S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor for the period ending October 29, 2013 showed abnormally dry conditions for portions of northern, central, southwestern, and south-central Indiana. About 54 percent of the state showed no drought conditions.

Streamflows
Mean monthly flow for ten of the twelve monitored streams were below their historical mean monthly flow for the month of October. The St. Marys River at Decatur had the lowest mean monthly flow with 16% of the historical mean flow for the month. The Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the highest mean monthly flow with 145% of the historical mean flow for the month.

Lake Michigan
The Lake Michigan-Huron water level for October was one inch below last month’s water level and nine inches above last year’s water level. Comparison of October monthly mean water levels to long-term (1918-present) averages shows that Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 17 inches below average. On October 29, 2013 the Michigan-Huron water level was 577.32 feet. The water level was about eleven inches above the previously lowest recorded monthly mean level for October set in 1964.

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

Reservoirs
The water levels in six of the eight Indiana reservoirs being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were below their normal pool elevation on October 31. The normal pool deviation ranged from -6.0 feet (Salamonie) to 1.1 feet (Patoka).

Two of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water; Morse, Geist, and Eagle Creek, were below normal pool elevations as of October 30, 2013. The reservoirs’ deviation from their normal pools ranged from -1.92 feet (Eagle Creek) to 0.07 feet (Geist).

Ground Water Levels
As of October 31, 2013, recent water level data are available for all of the nine wells being monitored. The water level for the observation wells is above normal for Vigo 7; near normal for LaPorte 9 and Harrison 8; slightly below normal for Posey 3; and much below normal for Fulton 7, LaGrange 2, Morgan 4, and Randolph 3.  Clark 20 is a new observation well with no established mean monthly water level. Groundwater levels are expected to increase through November for much of the state.

Real-time data are available for all nine observation wells. The real-time information may be accessed on the following U.S. Geological Survey website: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/current/?type=gw

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

Standard 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

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

Palmer Drought Severity Index:
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service

Temperature data:
Indiana State Climate Office, Purdue University

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