ANDERSON – Six area high schools students believe the proposed Mounds Lake Reservoir will attract younger people to the Madison County area in the future.
The Madison County Chamber invited six students with the Anderson Leadership Academy to discuss their views on the reservoir and the impact it could have as an incentive for investment in Madison County.
The students all indicated that if the reservoir becomes a reality they would return to Anderson to reside after attending college.
As proposed, the Mounds Lake Reservoir would create a 2,100-acre lake that would extend from Anderson to Muncie. Proponents believe the reservoir will meet future water needs in central Indiana.
Opponents contend there is no proven need for water in the future, the reservoir would damage the Mounds State Park and would harm the local environment. They have offered an alternative plan of constructing a greenway from Muncie to Anderson along the White River.
“A theme or water park would be so cool,” Quinton Bell, a senior at Anderson High School said. “The reservoir would be a big factor in bringing younger people to Anderson.”
Katie Urbanski said property values around the Mounds Lake would increase and would help attract younger people.
“I’m thinking of the future,” she said. “We want things for our kids to do and not have to worry about them.
“It would draw people from Noblesville and Carmel to Anderson,” Urbanski continued.
Elwood High School student Allyson Creamer said although the northern Madison County community is not located on the reservoir there would be an impact.
“Some people might move to Elwood to be closer to the lake,” she said.