Frustration is brewing among some Monticello residents as Lake Freeman’s water level once again has been lowered to accommodate endangered mussels in Tippecanoe River.
During a 2012 summer drought, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a standing mandate to NIPSCO — which operates Oakdale Dam on the southern end of Lake Freeman — to maintain water flow from the lake into the Tippecanoe River when the river level reaches a certain low point.
Last week, the river level again reached that threshold, triggering NIPSCO to discharge water into the river. The lake was as much as a foot and a half below normal over the weekend and was still a foot below normal Tuesday.
“We’re experiencing a similar situation (to 2012) currently,” NIPSCO spokesman Nick Meyer said. “The lake level right now at the base of the dam is about a foot below normal operating level. Once the lake level gets back to normal, we’ll get back into more of a normal operating level.”
The reaction from lake residents and business owners is much the same as it was in 2012. They fear how the dropping lake level will affect the local economy, shallow wells and eventually property values.
“If this keeps on happening, which it looks like it’s going to, it’s going to lower property values all around Lake Freeman drastically, which will reduce the amount of property taxes that will be coming in,” said Grant Martin, a Lake Freeman resident.
There are five federally endangered species of mussel in the river below the dam, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — the clubshell, fanshell, rayed bean, sheepnose and snuffbox. The rabbitsfoot, which is federally considered as “threatened,” is also found in the river.
A federal study from the service described the Tippecanoe River as “one of the nation’s most biologically diverse rivers” and said its preservation is “extremely important, not only to preserve current diversity, but for the potential recovery of several species of mussels.”
The dropping river level was prompted by a lack of rain, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Mussels can move but often not quickly enough to escape receding water levels.
The river hit a low of 4.25 feet July 29 just below Oakdale Dam, according to the National Weather Service. Once the discharge began Friday, the river peaked at 4.91 feet Saturday. On Tuesday, it stabilized at about 4.67 feet.
Martin said he’s frustrated with the lack of public notice. He didn’t realize the lake level was going to be dropped until the dam’s discharge was already in progress.
Another concern is that the minimum discharge of the dam has been raised from 200 cubic feet per second, as it was in 2012, to 500 cubic feet per second. That higher minimum discharge level means the lake falls faster.
“That’s a big difference, and that will take the lake down pretty quickly,” Martin said.
Midday Tuesday, the dam was discharging 518 cubic feet of water per second. At that time, the lake level — elevation in feet — was measured at 609.20 feet, down from the normal operating level of 610.35 feet.
In light of the dropping levels, the DNR is urging those using the lake to be cautious of tree stumps and other hazards that may be submerged during normal conditions.