Monthly Water Resource Summary

April 2025

Precipitation

April 2025 Indiana precipitation was well above normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 140.7 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 2.0 degrees above normal.

Seven of the nine climate divisions received above to much above normal precipitation for April (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 8 (SC) received the highest (186.2) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 2 (NC) received the lowest (73.9) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2025) ranges from 86.6% to 140.2% through April. Precipitation for the Water Year 2025 to date ranges from 81.9% to 127.0% through April. Over the 2-year period (from May 2023 – April 2025) all nine climate divisions have received below normal to slightly below normal precipitation ranging from 84.5% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 103.4% for Climate Division 8 (SC).

The 12-month SPI indices show Climate Division 8 (SC) in the “very wet” category and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 6-month SPI indices show Climate Division 8 (SC) in the “extremely wet” category; Climate Division 9 (SE) in the “very wet” category; Climate Division 7 (SW) in the “moderately wet” category; and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 3-month SPI indices show climate divisions 8 (SC) and 9 (SE) in the “very wet” category; Climate Division 7 (SW) in the “moderately wet” category; and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 1-month SPI indices show climate divisions 7 (SW) and 8 (SC) in the “extremely wet” category; climate divisions 5 (C), 6 (EC) and 9 (SE) in the “very wet” category; Climate Division 4 (WC) in the “moderately wet” category; and 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 April 29, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of northern-central part of the state is experiencing “Abnormally Dry” conditions. While the rest of the state is no longer experiencing any drought conditions,  many areas of central and southern Indiana experienced flooding in April, The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts no drought conditions by the end of July 2025.

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

Streamflow

In April 2025, all the streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had near normal to much above normal stream flow. The Kankakee River at Shelby had the lowest mean monthly flow at 101%, and the Big Blue River at Shelbyville had the highest mean monthly flow at 293%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On April 25, 2025, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 5 inches above the measurement taken on March 25, 2025, and 7 inches below the measurement taken on April 25, 2024. On April 30, 2025, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.51 feet, which is 27 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for April set in 1964. A comparison of April monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 4 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 3 inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On April 30, 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 +0.37 feet (Roush and Salamonie) to +31.3 feet (Cagles Mill).

All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Morse and Geist, and Eagle Creek were above their respective normal pool elevations as of April 30, 2025. The deviation from normal pool ranged from +0.31 feet (Geist) to +0.82 (Eagle Creek).

Table and reservoir graphs are appended.

Groundwater Levels

As of April 30, 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, and Randolph 3. Water levels are near normal for Harrison 8, Morgan 4, Posey 3, and Clark 20.

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