Posted on June 26, 2023
Daredevils looking to catch air near the Cedar Lake dredging project will need to think twice, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR on Wednesday issued a new temporary rule that restricts the speed of watercraft within 220 feet of the dredge pipe, according to a release. The rule, set to stay in place for the rest of the 2023 boating season, says “an individual may not operate a boat at greater-than-idle speed within 200 feet of the dredge pipe, any dredge equipment, or in the narrowest section of the lake.”
Three crossings have been designated in the area for watercraft to idle over the pipe; they’re marked with buoys found on a map the DNR issued.
The new rule comes after the Cedar Lake Police issued a warning June 7 to people who were launching their jet skis off the pipe a la Evel Knevel.
“If you are caught intentionally jumping the dredge pipe, you could be charged and even taken into custody for a misdemeanor,” read the statement the department put on social media. “If you are jumping the pipe, you are likely causing damage to the pipe and the dredging operation in general.
“In addition to criminal charges, you could be held liable for damages, including delays in the dredging operation.”
Chris Salatas, Cedar Lake town manager, said there has been one confirmed strike of the dredge pipe by a boat, which occurred shortly after the pipe was place in the lake in May. The boater crossed the pipe at a high speed, lodging the boat’s propellor into the pipe.
The torque ripped out the transmission from the boat, tearing a hole in it and causing the craft to sink. The driver had to be pulled from the water but was unharmed.
Rumors began circulating Monday as workers raised the helicopter that crashed into Cedar Lake that the pipe had been damaged by a watercraft again. Salatas said those rumors proved to be unfounded.
There was an earlier instance where a seam in the pipe was damaged and spraying water. That incident was unrelated to any watercraft.
Salatas said Dredge America has not reported any further damage to its equipment from boaters and complaints from the company about personal watercraft users jumping over the pipe have gone down since the police department issued a press release warning of the consequences.
He urged those using the lake to exercise caution as the lake approaches the busy Fourth of July holiday week, the busiest week on the water.
The exact language of this rule, which remain in place for the rest of the 2023 boating season, is at IN.gov/nrc/rules/emergency-rules. The dredging project is expected to last three summers.
