Water Resources of Indiana

Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web page for the water resources of Indiana; this is your direct link to all kinds of water-resource information. Here you'll find information on Indiana's rivers and streams. You'll also find information about ground water, water quality, and many other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of streamgaging stations in the state, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems.

The USGS provides current ("real-time") stream stage and streamflow, water-quality, ground-water levels, precipitation, and lake-stage for over 200 sites in Indiana.

The USGS is part of a multi-agency fluvial erosion hazard (FEH) program - initiated by the Indiana Silver Jackets Hazard Mitigation Task Force - to identify, study and provide mitigation planning resources for individuals and communities who would like to adopt FEH avoidance strategies. The resources provided by this project will enable individuals and communities to better recognize areas prone to natural stream-erosion processes and adopt strategies to avoid FEH-related risks. The project partners have released a new Web portal to the FEH program available at feh.iupui.edu/

Indiana Data Highlights

USGS WaterNow – On-demand, current-conditions for water data directly to your mobile phone or email

Send an email or text message containing a USGS current-conditions gaging site number and quickly receive a reply with its most recent observation(s). USGS WaterNow

Instantaneous Data Archive (IDA) (Quick look:
Since 1889 the United States Geological Survey has collected continuous stage, discharge, and other instantaneous time-series data on the nations rivers and streams. These time-series data have been and are typically recorded at intervals ranging from 5 to 60 minutes. These instantaneous data have been processed into and published as various daily values, such as the daily maximum, minimum, and/or mean. Because the published record are daily values, the original instantaneous data have not historically been officially approved, published, or made widely available. This web site has been established to make available as much historical instantaneous data from USGS data collection stations as possible. Although this site currently serves instantaneous discharge (streamflow) data only, work is planned to extend it to other time-series parameters in the future.

For more information about this topic, click now. )

The Instantaneous Data Archive( ) makes available as much intra-day streamflow data and historical instantaneous data continuous (measurements from every 5 to every 60 minutes), as possible, often several years' worth of data.

Featured Projects

Flood Inundation Map Libraries for Indiana Communities

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Fluvial Erosion Hazards Program

The Indiana Silver Jackets Hazard Mitigation Task Force has initiated a multi-agency program to identify, study, and provide mitigation planning resources for individuals and communities who would like to adopt FEH avoidance strategies. The FEH effort being undertaken in Indiana is modelled after an FEH program developed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and will greatly benefit from the well-documented strategies, protocols, and products established within that program. While supported by all the agencies and groups active in the Indiana Silver Jackets, three participating groups share the primary responsibilities for implementing this program. These groups include the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Polis Center (Polis) at IUPUI, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Indiana Water Science Center. Working with shared resources, staff, and goals, these three groups are currently conducting a broad variety of science, mapping, and educational activities related to the FEH program in Indiana. Funding for this program has been provided by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) through a grant provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A FEH program Web portal is available at feh.iupui.edu/

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Indiana RiverCams

Eagle Creek at Zionsville and White River at Hazleton
Supergages with RiverCams.

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Bringing U.S. Geological Survey Water Science to the Arts

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Of Current Interest

The USGS has released the a new product - Flood-inundation maps for the East Fork White River at Columbus, Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3255. This product is one of more than 30 flood inundation map libraries being produced for flood-prone communities in Indiana - go to in.water.usgs.gov/projects/flood_inun_map.html for more information.

Indiana Geological Survey

igs.indiana.edu/index.cfm

Recent Publications

The Indiana Water Science Center produces publications about water resources.

Regional Bankfull-Channel Dimensions of Non-Urban Wadeable Streams in Indiana
Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5078

Flood-Inundation Maps for the East Fork White River at Columbus, Indiana
Scientific Investigations Map 3255

Estimated Annual Agricultural Pesticide Use for Counties of the Conterminous United States, 1992–2009
Data Series 752

Flood-Inundation Maps for the Iroquois River at Rensselaer, Indiana
Scientific Investigations Map 3246

Flood-Inundation Maps for the White River at Spencer, Indiana
Scientific Investigations Map 3251

Flood-Inundation Maps for the Tippecanoe River near Delphi, Indiana
Scientific Investigations Map 3243

Hydrologic Data and Groundwater Flow Simulations in the Vicinity of Long Lake, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Near Gary, Indiana
Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5003

Flood-Inundation Maps for the Flatrock River at Columbus, Indiana, 2012
Scientific Investigations Map 3241

See other recent reports and search our other publications

Science Highlights

USGS Indiana-Kentucky Strategic Science Plan

The USGS Indiana–Kentucky Water Science Center Commonwealth provides reliable hydrologic and water-related ecological information to aid in the understanding of the use and management of water resources in Indiana, Kentucky, and the Nation. Input for the new 3–5 year Commonwealth strategic science plan was received from cooperators, stakeholders, and staff and was considered in the development of the objectives and strategic actions (for the next 3-5 years) for each of six science-focus areas: Hydrologic Monitoring Networks, Hazards, Ecosystems Science, Water Availability and Demand, Energy Production and Impacts, and Public Health.

U.S. Geological Survey Indiana-Kentucky Water Science Center Commonwealth Strategic Science Plan, 2012-2017

National Projects

SPARROW Surface Water-Quality Modeling

Information, Models, and Assessments.

Cooperators