Monthly Water Resource Summary

February 2025

Precipitation

February 2025 Indiana precipitation was below normal, with average temperature near normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 63 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 30.3 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.1 degrees below normal.

Six of the nine climate divisions received much below normal precipitation for February (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 8 (SC) received the highest (124.8) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 1 (NW) received the lowest (41.7) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2025) ranges from 38.9% to 101.9% through February. Precipitation for the Water Year 2025 to date ranges from 66.6% to 105.7% through February. Over the 2-year period (from March 2023-February 2025) all nine climate divisions have received below normal to slightly below normal precipitation ranging from 83.4% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 99.3% for Climate Division 8 (SC).

The 12-month SPI indices show all climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 6-month SPI indices show Climate Division 3 (NE) in the “severely dry” category; climate divisions 1 (NW), 2 (NC) and 4 (WC) in the “moderately dry” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 3-month and 1-month SPI indices show all 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 February 25, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the northern two-thirds 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 May 2025.

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

Streamflow

In February 2025, eight of the twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had much below or slightly below normal stream flow.  Sugar Creek at Crawfordsville had the lowest mean monthly flow at 23%, and the Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the highest mean monthly flow at 206%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On February 28, 2025, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 2 inches below the measurement taken on January 28, 2024, and 11 inches below the measurement taken on February 28, 2024. On February 28, 2025, the Michigan-Huron level was 577.82 feet, which is 21 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for February set in 1964. A comparison of February 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 1 inch over the next month.

Reservoirs

On February 28, 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 +4.8 feet (Patoka).

Two of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Morse and Geist, were above their respective normal pool elevations as of February 28, 2025. The deviation from normal pools ranged from -1.36 feet (Eagle Creek) to +0.39 feet (Morse).

Groundwater Levels

As of March 3, 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 near 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