Dam stability comes at high cost for lake communities

[Kevin]

Dam stability comes at high cost for lake communities

Hendricks County - This week's flooding in Hendricks County put the issue of dam stability under a new light. As the state reconsiders the strength of its dams, so do the people who live on the water.

A peaceful Saturday fishing off his dock is in deep contrast to lake living two years ago for Bob Bauer.

"When it flooded you can see the line right here on the tree where it was all the way up to here," said Bauer, pointing to a spot on a tree by the dock.

In 2008 the state's worst flood washed out one of the dams at Prince's Lakes in Johnson County, flooding roads and leaving about a hundred people stranded, including Bauer's family.

"It was a little scary for them," he said.

Earlier this week in Hendricks County a similar sight as a compromised dam sent water rushing into homes. The damage was caused by heavy rains but compounded by what the state later deemed a dam that was "conditionally poor." Residents were left with few options but to vow to make repairs.

 

"This is going to be fixed or we'll drain it," said John Burke, Indian Head Lake neighborhood association president.

The cost of rebuilding the dam at Indian Head and refilling the lake is $100,000. Residents don't have that kind of money.

Bob Bauer understands their problem.

"The conservancy put in a brand new dam," he said.

Repairs were made to a dam in his area as a result of the 2008 floods - at a cost to the residents. They had to pay an additional $1,200 per year on their property taxes.

Although he considers it a high price to pay - perhaps too high - he does admit he feels safer knowing the work is done.

"I feel pretty good about it," he said.

Now he can focus less on getting caught in the flood and more on what he's catching.