WARSAW — Indiana Conservation Officers announce the temporary speed restriction effective immediately for motorboats to idle speed on the Barbee Chain of Lakes. This includes Big and Little Barbee, Banning, Kuhn, Sechrist, Irish and Sawmill lakes.

Wawasee Lake and Tippecanoe Lakes were placed under idle speed restrictions late Friday afternoon.

Due to hazardous high water conditions on these lakes DNR Director Cameron Clark has authorized an emergency order dated today’s date to restrict the speed.

According to information received from the District 1 Headquarters, determination of when idle speed restrictions are issued is based on reports the DNR receives of residences water threatening to enter residences. Once a report is received, conservation officers investigate and submit the findings to DNR Director Cameron Clark, who is the only individual authorized to issue the restrictions.

There have been no reports, on other lakes in the county, of water threatening to enter homes on such lakes as Syracuse, Center, Pike, Winona Lake, or North Webster. These lakes have no speed restrictions at this time.

Watercraft exempted from restrictions are those operated by a local, state, or federal governmental law enforcement agency, emergency response personnel or the Department of Natural Resources.

This order terminates on the earlier of the following:  A written determination by the director to terminate the restrictions or as otherwise provided in Indiana Code 4-21.5-4-5. This statute IC 4-21.5-4-5(a) states: an order issued under this chapter expires on the earliest of the following: the date set in the order, the date set by a statute other than this article, the elapse of 90 days. Section B states during the period of any related proceedings the agency responsible for the proceeding may renew the order for successive 90-day periods unless a statute other than this article prohibits the renewal of the order. The final section additionally states an order issued under this chapter and IC 15-17-6 (dealing with rabies and quarantine) does not expire. (See statute here)