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

May, 2013

Precipitation
May 2013 Indiana precipitation was generally near normal to somewhat below normal across the state, while the temperature was above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was about 88% of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 64.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3.1 degrees above normal.

Two of Indiana’s nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation for the month of May. The northwestern climate division received the highest (113.4) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while the northeastern division received the lowest (62.3) percentage.

For the year to date, eight of Indiana’s nine climate divisions have received above normal precipitation, ranging from 98.1% for the southeastern climate division to 133.5% for the north-central division. For the 2013 water year, which began October 1, 2012, total precipitation is slightly below to above normal for Indiana’s nine climate divisions (95.3 to 117.4%). Over the longer duration (from January 2012) none of Indiana’s nine climate divisions have received above normal precipitation, ranging from 88.9% for the northeastern climate division to 99.7% 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 shows the north-central and west-central climate divisions in the “moderately wet” range. The seven remaining climate divisions lie in the “near normal” category. For the 3-month SPI index, each of Indiana’s nine climate divisions is within the “near normal” range. Likewise, for the 1-month index, the entire state falls in the “near normal” category.

U. S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor for the period ending June 4, 2013 showed no drought conditions for Indiana.   

Streamflows
Mean monthly flow for each of the twelve monitored streams were below their historical mean monthly flow for the month of May. The St. Marys River at Decatur had the lowest mean monthly flow with 41% of the historical mean flow for the month. The White River at Petersburg had the highest mean monthly flow with 97% of the historical mean flow for the month.

Lake Michigan
The Lake Michigan-Huron water level for May was five inches above last month’s water level and two inches below last year’s water level. Comparison of May monthly mean water levels to long-term (1918-present) averages shows that Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 19 inches below average. On May 30, 2013 the Michigan-Huron water level was 577.44 feet. The water level was about 11 inches above the previously lowest recorded monthly mean level for May set in 1964.

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

Reservoirs
The water level for each of the eight Indiana reservoirs being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was above its normal pool elevation on June 3. The normal pool deviation ranged from 0.2 feet (Brookville) to 19 feet (Cagles Mill).

All of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water; Morse, Geist, and Eagle Creek, were above normal pool elevations as of June 3, 2013. The reservoirs’ deviation from their normal pools ranged from 0.3 feet (Geist) to 1.21 feet (Eagle Creek).

Ground Water Levels
As of June 2, 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 LaPorte 9, Fulton 7, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, and Posey 3; and below normal for LaGrange 2, Randolph 3, Harrison 8, and Jefferson 5. Groundwater levels are expected to decrease through June 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

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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