Monthly Water Resource Summary

July, 2017

Precipitation

For July 2017, Indiana's precipitation was generally above normal, with average temperature near normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was approximately 141.6 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 74.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.3 degrees above normal.

All nine climate divisions received well above normal precipitation for the month of July. The central climate division received the highest (167.1) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while the southeastern received the lowest (119.9) percentage.

For the year to date, all nine climate divisions have received above normal or well above normal precipitation, ranging from 103.9 percent of normal for the southwestern climate division to 144.6 percent of normal for the northeastern climate division.  For the 2017 water year, which began October 1, 2016, total precipitation is above normal for seven of the nine climate divisions (92.6% to 129.3% percent of normal). Beginning January 2016, all climate divisions have received above normal precipitation. These range from 103.1 percent for the southwestern division to 117.8 percent for the central division.

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) long-term 12-month indices shows the northwestern, north-central, northeastern, and central climate divisions in the "extremely wet" category; the east-central and southeastern climate divisions are in the "very wet" category; the west-central climate division is in the "moderately wet" category; and the remaining two climate divisions are in the "near normal" category. The 6-month SPI indices shows the northeastern climate division in the "extremely wet" category; the north-central, central, east-central and southeastern climate divisions are shown in the "very wet" category; the northwestern and west-central climate divisions are in the "moderately wet" category; and the remaining two climate divisions are in the "near normal" category.  The 3-month SPI indices shows the central climate division in the "extremely wet" category; the northeastern, east-central and southeastern climate divisions are in the "very wet" category; the south-central, west-central, northwestern, and north-central climate divisions are in the "moderately wet" category; and the remaining climate division is in the "near normal" category. The 1-month SPI indices shows the central and east-central climate divisions in the "very wet" category; the southeastern climate division in the "near normal" category; and the remaining climate divisions are shown in the "moderately wet" category.

U. S. Drought Monitor

For the period ending July 25, 2017, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows two small areas with abnormally dry conditions in the southwest portion of the state and in the north-central portion of the state.  No other drought conditions exist in the state.  The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook does not predict drought conditions through October 31, 2017..

Streamflow

Of the twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999, eleven of the twelve had stream flow well above normal.  The Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the lowest mean monthly flow at 38% and Fall Creek near Fortville had the highest mean monthly flow at 822%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

The Lake Michigan-Huron water level for July 28, 2017 was seven inches above the measurement taken on July 28, 2016, and two inches above the measurement taken on June 28, 2017.  On July 31, 2017 the Michigan-Huron level was 580.72 feet, which is approximately 48 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for July set in 1964. Comparison of July monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 17 inches above the average.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts the Lake Michigan-Huron water level to fall one inch over the next month.

Reservoirs

The water level in all eight Indiana reservoirs being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was at or above the normal pool elevation on July 31, 2017. The normal pool deviation ranged from 0.0 feet (Cecil Harden and Monroe) to 4.8 feet (Patoka).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water were above their respective normal pool elevations as of July 31, 2017. The deviation from normal pools ranged from 0.19 feet (Morse) to 1.20 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of July 31, 2017 new water level data was available for eight of the nine wells currently monitored.  Data for Posey 3 is recent as of July 30th. Of the nine wells monitored, data indicate the groundwater level for LaGrange 2 is below its respective mean monthly level. The mean monthly groundwater levels are above normal for La Porte 9, Fulton 7, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, Randolph 3 and Posey 3 and near normal for Harrison 8 and Clark 20.

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

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