DNR Restricts Boat Traffic On Ten Lakes

February 28, 2018 at 8:10 p.m.


Indiana Department of Natural Resources has issued emergency restrictions on many of Kosciusko County’s largest lakes in light of recent flooding.

The state is prohibiting boat traffic on Tippecanoe Lake and Barbee Lake chain and limiting traffic on Lake Wawasee to no more than 5 mph, according to a news release from Lt.  John Karris, District One Commander for the DNR.

Lakes include Big Barbee Lake, Little Barbee Lake, Irish Lake, Kuhn Lake, Sawmill Lake and Sechrist Lake on the Barbee chain and Tippecanoe Lake, Oswego Lake and James Lake on the Tippecanoe Lake chain.

Those lakes all feed into the Tippecanoe River, which reached its fifth highest level since 1943 earlier this week.

The state uses a series of guidelines in determining whether to announce restrictions, including whether flood waters are touching or inside a residence, Karris said.



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He was unsure how many homes in the lakes region have sustained water damage.

Karris said he does not foresee expanding the restrictions to other lakes.

“The unfortunate side of this is – this time of year –  many of those homes are seasonal dwellings and (owners are)  out of town and won’t know the extent of the damage until they come visit their property,” Karris said.

The restrictions will remain in place until water levels drop. He declined to say how long that might take.

Emergency responders, as well as state and government authorities, are exempt from the restrictions.

State conservation officers are encouraging property owners to report all damages attributed to the recent flooding.

Property owners can contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Joint Information Center, which is the central repository for all flood-related questions and claims.

The preferred reporting method is online at bit.ly/2018rainfall or at www.in.gov/dhs.

Meanwhile, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock announced damage assessment crews made up of local and state employees are surveying homes and businesses affected by the recent storms and flooding.

“This is a first step in gaining federal assistance for the affected residents of Kosciusko County,” Rock said.

He said residents may be approached by these crews and asked questions relating to ownership of the property, insurance and extent of damage.  

The crews may ask to see and photograph damage. There is no charge or fee for the service the crews are providing for the residents, Rock said.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources has issued emergency restrictions on many of Kosciusko County’s largest lakes in light of recent flooding.

The state is prohibiting boat traffic on Tippecanoe Lake and Barbee Lake chain and limiting traffic on Lake Wawasee to no more than 5 mph, according to a news release from Lt.  John Karris, District One Commander for the DNR.

Lakes include Big Barbee Lake, Little Barbee Lake, Irish Lake, Kuhn Lake, Sawmill Lake and Sechrist Lake on the Barbee chain and Tippecanoe Lake, Oswego Lake and James Lake on the Tippecanoe Lake chain.

Those lakes all feed into the Tippecanoe River, which reached its fifth highest level since 1943 earlier this week.

The state uses a series of guidelines in determining whether to announce restrictions, including whether flood waters are touching or inside a residence, Karris said.



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He was unsure how many homes in the lakes region have sustained water damage.

Karris said he does not foresee expanding the restrictions to other lakes.

“The unfortunate side of this is – this time of year –  many of those homes are seasonal dwellings and (owners are)  out of town and won’t know the extent of the damage until they come visit their property,” Karris said.

The restrictions will remain in place until water levels drop. He declined to say how long that might take.

Emergency responders, as well as state and government authorities, are exempt from the restrictions.

State conservation officers are encouraging property owners to report all damages attributed to the recent flooding.

Property owners can contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Joint Information Center, which is the central repository for all flood-related questions and claims.

The preferred reporting method is online at bit.ly/2018rainfall or at www.in.gov/dhs.

Meanwhile, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock announced damage assessment crews made up of local and state employees are surveying homes and businesses affected by the recent storms and flooding.

“This is a first step in gaining federal assistance for the affected residents of Kosciusko County,” Rock said.

He said residents may be approached by these crews and asked questions relating to ownership of the property, insurance and extent of damage.  

The crews may ask to see and photograph damage. There is no charge or fee for the service the crews are providing for the residents, Rock said.
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