Central Indiana reservoir levels dropping - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Lake levels are dropping at central Indiana reservoirs, and no relief is in sight from the ongoing drought.

The Department of Natural Resources tells Eyewitness News that levels at Morse Reservoir in Noblesville have dropped one to two feet over the past two weeks. The lake is currently down over five feet, and the water level is being lowered by a foot every five days.

Boat docks stand over the cracked lake bed, and boats are sitting on dry land.

Norma Swinford isn't complaining. She's just telling you how it is.

"I miss getting out on the boat," she said. Her boat is in "dry dock," but it isn't on purpose.

Swinford says the fact that she's dealt with this situation before doesn't make it any easier.

Chopper 13 gives you an eagle eye of just how dry it is at Morse Reservoir and neighboring Geist. With the water level dropping nearly a foot every five days, this body of water is down nearly six feet in some areas.

"We are not restricting the use of any boating activities. We are just asking for extra caution," said Mark Baker, Department of Natural Resources.

Norma Swinford and her husband tell us they've given up for the summer and covered their pontoon. That's because they expect the boat marooned until next spring.

"Should have been aware of it sooner, I guess, but we weren't," she said.

Citizens Water uses both Morse and Geist to supply its costumers. With a mandatory watering ban looming, the folks on the beach want others to take notice.

"They need to realize that you can't use all the water. Plus, all the dryness. They can't be watering lawns. We don't water them here. I hardly water my flowers not every day. I don't want to use the water," said Swinford.

Without a boat to cruise, she says she's found other ways to enjoy her time on the lake - feeding the ducks and swans who now roam the dry lakebed.

Morse Reservoir may be lower than Geist because it is used more, feeding both the White River and two treatment plants.

Morse Lake is formed by Big Cicero and Little Cicero Creeks, and was built in 1956 as the third reservoir to supply Indianapolis with water.