Concerns of the ERRA/ERA Regarding the Proposal to Change the North and Middle Branches of the Elkhart River into a Regulated Drain

Noble County Commissioners have agreed to petition the Drainage Board to turn portions of the headwaters of the Elkhart River into a regulated drain in an attempt to alleviate flooding in the West Lakes area. The Elkhart River Restoration Association (ERRA) and Elkhart River Alliance (ERA – a subcommittee of the ERRA) are very concerned about the potential effects of this action, and request the Commissioners withdraw their petition.

As groups who want to improve water quality in the entire Elkhart River Watershed in Noble, LaGrange, Kosciusko, and Elkhart Counties, we sympathize with the concerns about flooding and sedimentation in the West Lakes area. ERRA has legally opened logjams on all parts of the river since 1985. We support the responsible opening of logjams, which can be done according to the IDNR Drainage Handbook without declaring the river a regulated drain. However, we fear that the proposed solution treats symptoms and not causes, will not resolve the problem, and will create greater problems downstream.

Local professionals have observed more flooding and sedimentation throughout the entire Elkhart River Watershed. We understand some of the causes to be:

* Many areas that currently flood are in historic floodplains (see flood map here)
* Increased runoff from more ditching, farm tiles and an increase in impervious surface from development
* Lack of conservation measures on the land, as well as the bank erosion caused by increased runoff, lead to sedimentation of the river

Turning portions of the Elkhart River into a regulated drain will not alleviate the problems. Speeding the flow of water from the headwaters will create:

* Increased flooding, sedimentation, and bank erosion in Ligonier, Goshen, Elkhart, and other parts of Noble and Elkhart County
* Loss of recreational, aesthetic, and economic value of property downstream
* Loss of habitat for wildlife and fish, including the state endangered Greater Redhorse
* Higher and higher drainage assessments for the property owners in the West Lakes area, when simple solutions do not work and more expensive work is proposed

The solution to this problem lies in slowing runoff and promoting conservation throughout the watershed, not in forcing water downstream. Some ways to do this are to:

* Install buffers on stream and river banks
* Promote conservation tillage and cover crops on cropland
* Promote Low Impact Development (rain gardens, pervious pavement, cisterns)
* Restore wetlands
* Install two-stage ditches

The ERRA received funding from an IDEM 319 grant to create a Watershed Management Plan. The Jones Lake/West Lakes area is a critical area. Cost-share funding is available to implement conservation practices that would achieve this goal. While this is not an overnight fix, we believe that in the long run it will achieve the goals that all parties want: decreased flooding and decreased bank erosion, sedimentation, and pollution in all parts of the watershed.

The ERRA and ERA welcome the opportunity to work with all parties to reach these goals. If the petition is not withdrawn, we consider Elkhart County and all downstream counties affected by this action and a representative of Elkhart County, St. Joseph County and Berrien County Michigan will need to be included in the joint drainage board.

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Noble County attempted to make portions of the Elkhart River a regulated drain but were successfully stopped by a lawsuit in 2003.
Here is the court’s ruling.
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UPDATES:

07/06/09 – The Elkhart City Council passes a resolution condemning Noble Counties proposal to turn portions of the Elkhart River into a regulated drain

07/21/09 – The Goshen City Council passes a resolution condemning Noble Counties proposal to turn portions of the Elkhart River into a regulated drain

07/23/09 – Goshen News Editorial against Noble Counties Actions

Sign our Petition in Support of the Elkhart River!

Our petition says…

The Noble County Commissioners have been asked to turn the north branch of the Elkhart River into a Regulated Drain. The Elkhart River Restoration Association (ERRA) and the Elkhart River Alliance (ERA) want your help.

Noble County officials have been asked to reduce flooding in north-central Noble County (the West Lakes Area) by moving flood water quickly downstream — to downstream portions of the river in places like Ligonier, Goshen and Elkhart. This will increase flooding, erosion, sedimentation, E-coli and nutrients downstream and destroy aquatic habitat along the entire length of the river.

We, the undersigned, urge the Noble County commissioners to keep the Elkhart River a RIVER — and to respect our shared watershed and its value as an important natural resource. Furthermore, we urge our representatives at all levels of government to update drainage laws to protect rivers and watersheds.

The petition can be signed at the Elkhart County Works Together office at 206 S. Main Street, suite 1, in Goshen (above Ten Thousand Villages).

If you would like to help circulate the petition, please contact  Stuart. He will get you your own copy!

Thanks!

- Lean more about Indiana Drainage Law here -

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GOSHEN’S NEIGHBORHOOD GAMES AND ELKHART RIVER CELEBRATION WERE SUCCESSFUL!A

A huge thanks to everyone who helped make our Friday and Saturday events possible!

EVENT SPONSORS Downtown Goshen, Inc, Goshen’s Neighborhood Associations, LaCasa, Goshen Historical Society, Elkhart River Alliance, Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation District, Subway on Pike Street, Hawkins Water Tech, Dan’s Body Shop and of course the Barrel Artists!!

First Friday Website at  gofridays.com

Past Event -  FIRST Friday, June 5 2009

Also see our Saturday River Celebration!!

• 

  This rain barrel was one of the prizes given away at this years 2009 Goshen Neighborhood Games! It was sponsored by First Source Bank on Lincoln and Main.

• 8:00 pm Rain Barrel Auction on West Washington Street – 13 barrels painted by local artists!
  Here are three views of each rain barrel and the artist’s name.  They were on display at area area business sponsors a week before the auction.  Click images for details:

• 

  Leah Borden with help from family members Estella (age6) and Eliott (age3) -- On display at Jon Wieand CPA - at The Famous on Main Street

  

  Carmen Myers- Goshen Chamber of Commerce

  

  Colleen Wegener - Sponsor and on display at Wightman Petrie 4703 Chester Drive, Elkhart

  

  Dave Kendall -- Click for Video! --- On display at the Electric Brew

  

  Emily Hensley with Patsy Presents - On display at Interra Credit Union

  

  Cheri Smith with Patsy Presents - Sponsor Tom Stark (at The Chamber of Commerce )

  

  Joshua Hensley with Patsy Presents - Sponsored by MMA - On display at Mattern's Butcher Main Street

  

  Karen Jacob - On display at Woldruff's Footwear- Main

  

  Carly Anglin - On display at Lake City Bank downtown Goshen (corner of Main and Lincoln)

  

  Mark Daniels - On display at Kelly Jaes Cafe

  

  Mary Jane Hoffman – On display at Snyder Menswear.

  

  Val Collins - On display at Sorg's Jewelers "The Earth is Our Quilt - Our comfort depends on its condition. Treat it with care"

Saturday, June 6 Shanklin Park

Morning River cleanup throughout the watershed contact Eldon to volunteer 534-4318.

Talk-The-Talk Workshops:

• 2-3 p.m.                Rain Garden Workshop, hosted by Nancy Brown, Elkhart County Soil and Water                                  Conservation District

• 3-4 p.m.                Rain Barrel Workshop, hosted by Penny Seegers, Indiana Master Naturalist

Pre-registration and $10 for the barrel required.  Call the Elkhart Co. SWCD at 574-533-3630 ext. 3.

Walk-The-Walk Conservation Tour:

• 2-4 p.m.    Self-guided tour featuring five sites using water quality conservation practices including a field day at Adam Scharf’s farm – Our Agricultural Cost-Share Demonstration site
  

  Click for Brochure

  • 4:00 Shanklin Park- The Banana Slug String Band in Concert!
  

  Free Concert 4:00 Shanklin Park

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