Monthly Water Resource Summary

February, 2021

Precipitation

For February 2021, Indiana's precipitation was below normal, with average temperature below normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 89.8 percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 23.7 degrees Fahrenheit or 6.7 degrees below normal[GG1].

Six of the nine climate divisions received below to well below normal precipitation for the month of February. Climate Division 6 (EC) received the highest (119.1) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 2 (NC) received the lowest (52.6) percentage.

For the year to date, eight of the nine climate divisions have received below normal precipitation, ranging from 65.7 percent of normal for Division 2 (NC) to 101.1 percent of normal for Division 7 (SW). For the 2021 water year, which began October 1, 2020, total precipitation is near or above normal for three of the nine climate divisions (74.0% to 104.7% percent of normal). Over the longer duration, beginning January 2020, three of the nine climate divisions have received above normal precipitation. These range from 82.0 percent for Climate Division 2 (NC) to 109.1 percent for Climate Division 8 (SC).

The 12-month and 6-month SPI indices show Climate Division 2 (NC) in the "moderately dry" category; with all the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category. The 3-month SPI indices shows Climate Divisions 3 (NE) and 6 (EC) in the "moderately dry" category; with the remaining climate divisions in the "near normal" category. The 1-month SPI indices shows all the 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 23, 2021, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that the northern third of Indiana is experiencing moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts drought conditions are likely to end for much of the northern third of Indiana by the end of May 2021.

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

Streamflow

In February 2021, ten of the twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had stream flow below normal or much below normal.  Eel River at Manchester had the lowest mean monthly flow at 46%, and the Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the highest mean monthly flow at 142%.

Detailed Information on Streamflow

Lake Michigan

On February 26, 2021, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was two inches below the measurement taken on January 26, 2021, and nine inches below the measurement taken February 26, 2020. On February 28, 2021 the Michigan-Huron level was 580.64 feet, which is about 55 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for February set in 1964. Comparison of February monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918-present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water level was about 27 inches above 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 remain the same through March 26, 2021.

Reservoirs

On March 1, 2021[GG2], the water levels for all eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Upper Daily Wabash Lake Report-March 2, 2021) were above the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pools ranged from 1.8 feet (Brookville) to 12.9 feet (Salamonie). 

Two of the three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Energy Group (Morse and Geist) were above their respective normal pool elevations as of March 1, 2021.  The deviation from normal pools ranged from -0.72 feet (Eagle Creek) to 1.32 feet (Morse).

Groundwater Levels

As of March 1, 2021, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells monitored, data indicates the groundwater level is currently above normal for Randolph 3 and Harrison 8. Groundwater levels are below to well below normal for LaPorte 9, Fulton 7, Lagrange 2, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, Posey 3 and Clark 20.

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

• 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