Indiana expands emergency advisories for high water on northern lakes

WOLCOTTVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Thursday issued a second emergency advisory to restrict watercraft due to high water on lakes in the northern part of the state.

As WISHTV.com previously reported, the first emergency advisory, issued Tuesday, affected lakes in Kosciusko County. On the Barbee Lakes Chain, the operation of all motorized watercraft is restricted. The Barbee Lakes Chain consists of Kuhn, Big Barbee, Little Barbee, Irish, Sechrist, Sawmill and Banning Lakes.

Also in Kosciusko County, an idle speed restriction has been placed on motorized watercraft on the Tippecanoe Lake Chain and Lake Wawasee; the Tippecanoe Lake Chain includes Lake Tippecanoe, Oswego and James Lakes.

The second emergency advisory, issued Thursday, placing an idle-speed restriction on motorized watercraft on the Indian Lakes Chain in southern LaGrange County. The goal is to prevent boat wakes from causing water to enter homes. The emergency advisory specifically impacts Witmer, Westler, Dallas, Hackenberg and Messick lakes, which comprise the Indian Lakes Chain.

Natural Resources lists its advisories on its website.

The lakes provide tourists and residents with year-round recreation including swimming, fishing, skiing, boating, kayaking and canoeing.