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Capturing the Annual State of Indiana Water Resources
  • Stephen J Kines,
  • Laura C Bowling,
  • Keith A. Cherkauer
Stephen J Kines
Purdue University
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Laura C Bowling
Purdue University
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Keith A. Cherkauer
Purdue University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Quantifying annual fluctuations in the volume of water resources available for public and private use is essential for planning. Although data is available to quantify the state of water resources across the United States, many Federal and State level agencies develop their own systems for serving the data to the public. Additionally, the time period for analysis is inconsistent between systems, and even between sites on the same system. We have developed a single centralized web site for disseminating information on water quantity in Indiana that provides an annual snapshot of water resources at the start of each water year. Analysis presented here was conducted using USGS water data for the last 30 water years up to and including the 2017 water year. The current state of Indiana water resources was assigned based on a ranking of how the current groundwater and surface water metrics compare to previous water years. The statistical significance and magnitude of 30 years trends are also calculated. The 2017 water year had above average mean water levels for both surface and groundwater. Over the past 30 years, there has been an overall increase in surface water levels with no overall trend in groundwater levels. The rankings and long-term trends can also be displayed geospatially to represent the location and status of water resources within Indiana using interactive webmaps. These webmaps and other water resource summaries are shared with the public through the State of Indiana Water Resources Website (https://iwrrc.org/indiana-water/).