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

April, 2013

Precipitation
April 2013 Indiana precipitation was generally near normal to well above normal across the state, while the temperature was near normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was about 162% of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 50.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 0.6 of a degree below normal.

Eight of Indiana’s nine climate divisions received above normal precipitation for the month of April. The west-central climate division received the highest (222.4) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while the southeastern division received the lowest (97.8) percentage.

For the year to date, eight of Indiana’s nine climate divisions have received above normal precipitation, ranging from 97.8% for the southeastern climate division to 151.8% 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 (94.5 to 124.7%). Over the longer duration (from January 2012) only one of Indiana’s nine climate divisions have received above normal precipitation, ranging from 87.4% for the southwestern climate division to 101.3% 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. Likewise, the 6-month SPI index shows the entire state in the “near normal” range. The 3-month SPI index shows the north-central, northeastern, and west-central climate divisions in the “moderately wet” category. The rest of the state is in the “near normal” range. For the 1-month index, the north-central, northeastern, west-central, and central climate divisions lie in the “extremely wet” category.  The northwestern and east-central divisions are in the “moderately wet” range, and the three southern climate divisions lie in the “near normal” category.

U. S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor for the period ending April 30, 2013 showed no drought conditions for Indiana.            

Streamflows
Mean monthly flow for three of the twelve monitored streams were below their historical mean monthly flow for the month of April. The East Fork White River at Shoals had the lowest mean monthly flow with 89% of the historical mean flow for the month. The White River near Centerton had the highest mean monthly flow with 234% of the historical mean flow for the month.

Lake Michigan
The Lake Michigan-Huron water level for April was eight inches above last month’s water level and seven inches below last year’s water level. Comparison of April monthly mean water levels to long-term (1918-present) averages shows that Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 21 inches below average. On April 29, 2013 the Michigan-Huron water level was 577.00 feet. The water level was about 11 inches above the previously lowest recorded monthly mean level for April set in 1964.

The Lake Michigan-Huron water level is forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rise three 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 April 30. The normal pool deviation ranged from 0.3 feet (Brookville) to 40.1 feet (Cagles Mill).

All of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water; Morse, Geist, and Eagle Creek, were above normal pool elevations as of April 29, 2013. The reservoirs’ deviation from their normal pools ranged from 0.5 feet (Geist) to 1.28 feet (Eagle Creek).

Ground Water Levels
As of May 1, 2013, recent water level data are available for all of the nine wells being monitored. The water level for the observation wells is much above normal for LaPorte 9, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, and Posey 3; near normal for Fulton 7, Randolph 3, and Harrison 8; and below normal for LaGrange 2 and Jefferson 5. Groundwater levels are expected to decrease through May 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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