Lake Freeman is now under a low water flow warning! If you are boating on the lake be aware of submerged objects that may be dangerously close to the surface of the water. If you have watercraft docked on Lake Freeman be aware of the lower water levels and take appropriate action to protect your watercraft. Low lake levels may make many docks and lifts unusable.
Current Lake and Discharge Levels
UPDATE:
An Abnormal Low Flow (ALF) Event Warning has been issued for Lake Freeman, as surface elevation levels at the Oakdale Dam have gone below the minimum operating levels. Flows at the Winamac USGS remain below 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the prior 24hr average period.
As of 3:30 p.m. EST the surface elevation taken near the face of the Oakdale Hydroelectric Dam was measured at 610.08 or 3 and 1/4 inches below the normal operating target of 610.35ft. The change in surface elevation measured at the hydro does not reflect or equate to the same potential change in depth for other areas of the lake. Surface elevation is the relative measurement to sea level, local datum. A change of .01 ft in the surface elevation equates to 1/100th of a foot or .12 inches. NIPSCO does not measure average depths.
Currently, the Winamac USGS gauge shows a reading of 248 cubic feet per second (cfs). An ALF event will be lifted once the 24hr average rises above 300cfs and hourly readings at Oakdale USGS are above 500 cfs.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, remind the public to be mindful of their surroundings and be aware of any submerged objects in or underneath the surface of the water. Due to the water levels objects such as tree stumps, old dock pilings and such may start to show or become a hazard to boat operators, swimmers, and tubers.
Without additional rainfall, depths could continue to be reduced. NIPSCO will continue to be in close coordination with the Indiana DNR, SFLECC, Emergency Management and other authorities to provide regular updates until levels return to normal.
