Monthly Water Resource Summary

May 2024

Precipitation

2024 Indiana precipitation was near normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 97.6 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit or 4.9 degrees above normal.

Five of the nine climate divisions received near normal or much above normal precipitation for May (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 8 (SC) received the highest (120.9) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 6 (EC) received the lowest (65.4) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 101.3% to 129.3% through May. For the Water Year 2024, three of the nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation, ranging from 81.5% to 110.7%. Over the 2-year period (from June 2022-May 2024) all nine climate divisions have received below normal precipitation ranging from 82.8% for Climate Division 6 (EC) to 99.3% for Climate Division 3 (NE).

The 12-month and 1-month SPI indices show all climate divisions in the "near normal" category. The 9-month and 3-month SPI indices show Climate Divisions 3 (NE) in the "very wet" category, climate divisions 1 (NW), 2 (NC) and 5 (C) in the "moderately wet" category; with the 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 May 28, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the state is no longer experiencing any drought conditions, The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts no drought conditions by the end of August 2024.

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

Streamflow

In May 2024, seven of the streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had above normal to much above normal stream flow.  The Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the lowest mean monthly flow at 65%, and Sugar Creek at Crawfordsville had the highest mean monthly flow at 140%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On May 31, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 4 inches above the measurement taken on May 1, 2024, and 2 inches below the measurement taken on May 31, 2023. On May 31, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 579.46 feet, which is about 35 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for May set in 1964. Comparison of May monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 3 inches above 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 2 inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On June 4, 2024, the water levels for seven of the reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were at or above the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from -1.5 feet (Patoka) to +3.33 feet (Monroe).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Morse, Eagle Creek, and Geist, were above their respective normal pool elevations as of June 4, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from +0.29 feet (Geist) to +0.65 feet (Eagle Creek).

Groundwater Levels

As of June 3, 2024, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are near normal for Fulton 7 and Harrison 8. Water levels are below normal for Laporte 9, Lagrange 2, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, Randolph 3, Posey 3, and Clark 20.

Real-time data is available for all of the wells and may be accessed on the following U.S. Geological website: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/current/?type=gw.

• 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