Most Of Indiana Either Abnormally Dry Or In Moderate Drought

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A recent lack of rain made for nice spring picnicking weather in Indiana, but it's left most of the state unusually dry or facing drought conditions.

Thursday's update of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that 84 percent of Indiana is either abnormally dry or in the midst of a moderate drought. That's up from 29 percent of the state that had faced those conditions the week before.

About 9 percent of Indiana is listed as currently experiencing a moderate drought, up from about 2.3 percent the week before.

Moderate drought conditions cover all or parts of several northwestern Indiana counties, as well as parts of two far northeastern Indiana counties, according to the Drought Monitor website that's overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a partnership with other agencies.

Sections of central and northern Indiana also experienced a moderate drought last summer. That drought, combined with water releases required to protect rare mussels, caused Lake Freeman in Monticello to shrink dramatically last summer. But that northwestern Indiana lake, which is a popular boating destination, rebounded to its normal level following generous winter precipitation.

Rain that's forecast over the coming days across could alleviate Indiana's dry conditions.