Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Monthly Water Resource Summary
February, 2014
Precipitation
February 2014 Indiana precipitation was quite variable across the state, although the statewide monthly precipitation average was near normal. Temperatures, on the whole, were below normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 21.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 8.7 degrees below normal.
Four of Indiana’s nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation for the month of February. The west-central climate division received the highest (133.2) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while the southeastern division received the lowest (72.2) percentage.
For the year to date, all climate divisions have received above normal precipitation, ranging from 104.8 percent for the southeastern climate division to 180.4 percent for the west-central division. For the 2014 water year starting October 1, 2013, total precipitation is above normal for each of Indiana’s nine climate divisions (112.2 to 156.1%). Starting from January 2013, each of the state’s climate divisions has received above normal precipitation. Those ranges are from 107.7 percent for the southeastern division to 127.6 percent for the southwestern division.
For the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) long-term 12-month index, seven of Indiana’s nine climate divisions are in the “near normal” category. The north-central and southwestern divisions lie in the “moderately wet” range. For both the 6-month and 3-month SPI indexes, the southwestern climate division is in the “very wet” category. The other divisions range from “moderately wet” to “near normal.” The 1-month index shows the entire state as “near normal.”
- 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 Standard Precipitation Index (SPI)
U. S. Drought Monitor
The period ending February 25, 2014 showed no drought conditions for Indiana.
- State Map
- Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map for the United States
- Learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor
Streamflows
Mean monthly flow for 11 of the 12 monitored streams were above or well above their historical mean monthly flow for the month of February. The East Fork White River at Shoals had the lowest mean monthly flow with 88 percent of the historical mean flow for the month. Sugar Creek at Crawfordsville had the highest mean monthly flow with 188 percent of the historical mean flow for the month.
Lake Michigan
The lakes Michigan-Huron water level for February was one inch above last month’s water level, and 14 inches above the February 2013 water level. Comparison of February monthly mean water levels to long-term (1918-present) averages shows that Michigan-Huron water levels were about 12 inches below average. On February 27, 2014, the Michigan-Huron water level was 577.25 feet. The water level was about 15 inches above the previously lowest recorded monthly mean level for February, set in 1964.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts the lake Michigan-Huron water level to increase two inches over the next month.
Reservoirs
The water levels in each of the eight Indiana reservoirs being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were above their normal pool elevation on March 2. The normal pool deviation ranged from 1.1 feet (Brookville) to 25.4 feet (Mississinewa).
Two of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water-Morse, Geist, and Eagle Creek- were above normal pool elevations as of February 28, 2014. The reservoirs’ deviation from their normal pools ranged from -0.74 feet (Eagle Creek) to 0.35 feet (Morse).
Ground Water Levels
As of February 28, 2014, 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 LaPorte 9, Morgan 4, and Harrison 8; near normal for Vigo 7, Randolph 3, and Posey 3; and much below normal for Fulton 7 and LaGrange 2. Clark 20 is a new observation well with no established mean monthly water level. Groundwater levels are expected to increase through March 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 CenterStandard 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 DistrictReservoir data:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville DistrictGround water level data:
U.S. Geological Survey and State of Indiana cooperative programPalmer Drought Severity Index:
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service
Temperature data:
Indiana State Climate Office, Purdue University