Monthly Water Resource Summary

December 2024

Precipitation

December 2024 Indiana precipitation was above normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 133.3 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 34.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.7 degrees above normal.

All nine climate divisions received much above normal precipitation for December (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 7 (SW) received the highest (152.7) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 9 (SE) received the lowest (123.9) percentage.

Precipitation for the year to date (2024) ranges from 92.3% to 106.3% through December. For the Water Year 2025, all nine climate divisions received near normal precipitation, ranging from 92.3% to 106.3%. Over the 2-year period (from January 2023-December 2024) all nine climate divisions have received slightly below normal precipitation ranging from 87.7% for Climate Division 4 (WC) to 100.2% for Climate Division 8 (SC).

The 12-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 1 (NW) in the “moderately wet” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 6-month SPI indices shows Climate Division 8 (SC) in the “moderately wet” category; with the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category.  The 3-month SPI indices show all climate division in the “near normal” category. The 1-month SPI indices shows climate divisions 7 (SW) and 8 (SC) 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 December 31, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of the northern half of the state is experiencing “Moderate Drought” or “Abnormally Dry” conditions while the rest of the state is experiencing near normal conditions.  The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts drought removal throughout much of the state except a portion in the northern third of the state by the end of March 2025.

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

Streamflow

In December 2024, ten of the 12 streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had below normal to much below normal stream flow. The Eel River at North Manchester had the lowest mean monthly flow at 25%, and the Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the highest mean monthly flow at 141%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On December 27, 2024, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 2 inches below the measurement taken on November 27, 2024, and 8 inches below the measurement taken on December 27, 2023. On December 31, 2024, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.18 feet, which is about 24 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for December set in 2012. Comparison of December monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 5 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 fall two inches over the next month.

Reservoirs

On December 31, 2024, the water levels for all eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were above normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from +1.3 feet (Salamonie) to +6.2 feet (Cagles Mill).

Two of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Geist and Morse, were above their respective normal pool elevations as of December 31, 2024. The deviation from normal pools ranged from -1.13 feet (Eagle Creek) to 0.91 feet (Morse).

Groundwater Levels

As of January 6, 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 above 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