Mississinewa Lake continues to swallow surrounding land, shattering record water levels.
The lake's water levels reached a new record high of 39.8 feet above summer pool on Thursday, continuing to further surpass the previous record of 35.2 feet set 33 years ago. The continuing expansion of the lake water has caused the reservoir to expand by about three miles, submerging large quantities of natural habitat and bringing revenue streams for the campgrounds to a near stand-still.
As Mississinewa Lake rises, land mass continues to disappear beneath the water. With lake levels reaching new record levels the body of water has expanded about a mile-and-a-half to the north as well as to the south of its ordinary borders.
The resulting expansion is causing continuous changes for the natural wildlife.
"As we lose additional habitat, it seems to be compounding the problem," said wildlife biologist Aron Showalter. "We're now getting calls from an area family about displaced river in their pond. There are also a lot of deer out of where they're normally not seen."
While the immediate impact is readily visible, Mississinewa Campgrounds staff members are looking to address issues that may arise in the future for the wildlife.
Showalter said about 1,200 acres tenant farmer crop ground has been lost this year. In the fall, 10 percent of this land's crops are meant to be left un-harvested for the wildlife's consumption during the winter.
Once the water recedes it will also leave the farmland's soil depleted of nutrients, leaving it difficult to replant crops.
"We're going to have to calculate," said Showalter. "We need to figure what plants we can put back in for the fall food plot to supplement (the wildlife) through the winter."
On the financial side, since the campgrounds were closed on June 26 the facility has suffered large financial losses as well. Profits from the purchase of lake permits, boat gate fees, regular admissions and cabin rentals have been nonexistent.
Larry Brown, the property manager of Mississinewa Campgrounds, said the site has lost $171,000 in revenue.
"The loss of revenue is never a good thing for us," said Brown. "We want to try to support ourselves as best we can. I don't anticipate an impact to what we're able to do due to the loss of revenue."
Brown anticipates that once the waters recede, clean-up efforts will last through the summer, fall and spring.
Showalter said his greatest concern is the rehabilitation of grass on the campgrounds once the waters recede. He said if the grass can't be replanted the area will become a mud flat.
However, Brown remains optimistic.
"In some cases it gives us an opportunity to go from ground zero and improve the facility," said Brown. Some of the less undesirable things are eliminated entirely and we have the opportunity to replace them. You never know where you're going to land and we want to be in the best place possible when we reopen to maintain the user population."
State Conservation Officer Jerry Hoerdt cautioned those who venture out to the Mississinewa Lake area. He said seven vehicle rescues have had to be performed in the area thus far.
"We've had some close calls so we recommend people stay away from flooded roads," said Hoerdt. "We understand people want to take pictures of the historic flooding and we recommend using good common sense if they do so. Remember, turn around don't drown."