The Department of Natural Resources had to restrict motorboat traffic from certain public freshwater lakes in Northern Indian due to the abundance of summer storms. The DNR created a web page with boating advisories to keep boating public and lakefront property owners informed of current restrictions or closures.
The DNR Law Enforcement Division uses an established policy to guide recommended restrictions based on conditions at a given lake. After a condition or hazard is reported to the DNR, an Indiana Conservation officer with DNR Law Enforcement investigates and then recommends a course of action. Supervisors review the recommendation and forward it to the DNR director of final approval.
Depending on the reported conditions, the DNR director will decide what kind of restriction must be put in place. If there are large amounts of floating debris and/or submerged objects that pose a significant impact to boating safety or navigation during night-time operation then boat-use will be restricted to daytime operation only.
If the surface water will likely be inside dwelling structures as a result of wake, the director will limit watercraft operations to idle speed.
If surface water is inside dwelling structures and motorboat operation, regardless of speed, could potentially cause property damage then motorboat operations will be prohibited.
If there are unusual conditions, potential dam failure or any other catastrophic incident then lakes can be closed to all watercraft operations.
Once a temporary order is in place, conservation officers continue to monitor the water levels and make further decisions or restrictions as they see fit. Visit the DNR website for further information.
