CHAPTER 7. LAKES; RESTRICTIONS ON DITCHES AND DRAINS

IC 14-26-7
     Chapter 7. Lakes; Restrictions on Ditches and Drains

IC 14-26-7-1
Applicability of chapter
    
Sec. 1. This chapter applies to the following:
        (1) The construction of new ditches and drains.
        (2) Alterations, changes, or other improvements to existing ditches and drains.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-2
Ditches or drains through line of freshwater lake; dam required
    
Sec. 2. A:
        (1) person may not locate, make, dig, dredge, or in any manner construct; and
        (2) court, county executive, body of viewers, or drainage commissioners may not order or recommend the location, establishment, or construction of;
a ditch or drain cutting into, through, or upon the line of a freshwater lake unless a dam has been provided for and constructed to adequately protect the water level of each lake likely to be affected.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-3
Ditches or drains within one-half mile of freshwater lake; dam required
    
Sec. 3. A person may not locate, dig, make, dredge, or in any way construct a ditch or drain having a bottom depth lower than the level of a freshwater lake as established by law within one-half (1/2) mile of any point on the line of the lake unless a dam has been provided for and constructed to adequately protect the water level of each lake likely to be affected.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-4
Construction of dams
    
Sec. 4. A dam required by this chapter shall be constructed:
        (1) before any work on the proposed drainage; and
        (2) according to plans and specifications furnished or approved by the engineering division.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-5
Interference with dam, bank, or levee prohibited
    
Sec. 5. A person may not:
        (1) cut into or around;
        (2) attempt to cut into or around;
        (3) interfere with; or
        (4) attempt to interfere with, change, or destroy; a dam, bank, or levee constructed under Indiana law for the purpose of maintaining the water level of a freshwater lake at the established level.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-6
Interference with banks or shores of freshwater lakes prohibited
    
Sec. 6. A person may not:
        (1) cut into or through;
        (2) attempt to cut into or through;
        (3) interfere with; or
        (4) attempt to interfere with;
the banks or shores of a freshwater lake or any part of the lake in such a way as to lower or tend to lower the water of the lake.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-7
Alteration of dam, spillway, or outlet to lake
    
Sec. 7. Subject to IC 14-26-8 and IC 36-9-27, a person, court, county executive, body of viewers, or drainage board may not do any of the following:
        (1) Interfere with, change, alter, or attempt to interfere with, change, or alter a bank, dam, spillway, or outlet of a freshwater lake.
        (2) Dig, dredge, or in any way lower or attempt to lower an outlet or part of an outlet to a freshwater lake at any point in the outlet within three-fourths (3/4) mile of the lake.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

IC 14-26-7-8
Violations
    
Sec. 8. A person who recklessly violates this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.