This page was last modified on Saturday, September 06, 2008 04:35:47 PM
Mute Swans 
If you would like information on mute swans please click here.
There have been some very high counts of these swans on various lakes in our chain. Irish lake counts are into the 60's and from the info above they are destructive to our lakes and the habitat of our native plants, fish and birds.
If you would like more info on mute swans or would like to voice your opinion on mute swans please contact DNR waterfowl biologist, Adam Phelps, or urban biologist, Shannon Winks. They are both in the Bloomington office at 553 E. Miller Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401-7903 (812) 334-1137 and their emails are
Adam Phelps (APhelps@dnr.IN.gov) and Shannon Winks (SWinks@dnr.IN.gov).
Muskrats are cute but...
They can be a pain for the shoreline. And a nesting couple can have up to 64 offspring/year. To learn more about what you can do refer to the following DNR website
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/
Weed Patrol Water Guidelines
Click here for suggestions from Weed Patrol, Inc for anyone who lives along a waterway, including any lake, river, pond or stream.
Sandy Beaches not a good idea
DNR’s jurisdiction for a sandy beach ends at the legal shoreline of the lake. We can’t tell somebody that they can’t have sand in their yard. However, the way sand beaches are typically created is the problem. Normally folks tend to dump a big sand pile near the shore and rake it out to the water’s edge. As long as the sand does not get into the lake, its not a violation. That is until the first major rain event washes the unstable sand lakeward of the legal shoreline. Once it gets into the water the sand becomes illegal fill according to the Lakes Preservation Act. Under our current beach rules, sand is not an approvable material for underwater beaches, so getting a permit for it would be highly unlikely.
Pea gravel is an approvable material for construction of underwater beaches and underwater beach replenishment, however both of these activities require a permit from the Division of Water. Approval for such projects is contingent on a variety of factors and not all applications are approved.
Invasive Species
Good looking flowers? Nope
Good looking invasive species? Yep, It's purple loosestrife.
Learn more about Indiana invasive species and why they aren't such a good idea.
Goose Tips
Sweet little things aren't they?
For more info on what you can do about geese go to the following DNR site.
Barbee Lakes Safe Boating Rules
- Have current boat registration on board.
- Have Coast Guard approved cushion or life jacket for each person on board.
- In order to operate a motorboat with 10 or more horsepower, which includes personal watercraft, you must have a valid driver's license, except that a 15 year old may operate a motorboat (personal watercraft) providing he or she has passed an approve boating education course, and has been issued a proper identification card from the BMV.
- No Wake Zone within 200' of shore. Use IDLE speed for fishing, leaving or approaching shore.
- IDLE speed in all channels, including Grassy creek from SAWMILL to TIPPECANOE Lake.
- Observe 10 MPH limit on ALL lakes except Big Barbee.
- Use counter-clockwise direction when speedboating or skiing on Big Barbee.
- Observe 10 MPH speed limit between sunset and sunrise on all lakes.
- Keep a litter bag on board and use it. NO LITTERING!
- . Drinking and driving or drinking and boating, same dangers and same penalties.
- . Obey all INDIANA BOATING LAWS.