Report on Water and Related Land Resources, Elkhart River Basin, Indiana

Excerpts from the report: The Elkhart River Basin is located in northeastern Indiana, 130 miles north of Indianapolis, and encompasses about 447,360 acres (about 700 square miles) in parts of four counties (Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, and Noble). Drainage flows are predominately westward and north-westward. There are numerous natural lakes in the Basin, many of which are in series along the major tributaries. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the water and related land resources, identify problems associated with their use and development, determine present and future needs for resource development, and propose alternative plans for the orderly development of these resources. The study included an evaluation of the importance of agriculture and related economic activities in the Basin, the State of Indiana and the nation. Aspects analyzed and projected include land use, output of agricultural products, agricultural employment, and expected shifts of agricultural land to other uses. Projections were made of the need for developing water and related land resources for food production, rural and municipal water supply, and outdoor recreation. Resource developments required to meet short and long range needs were identified. An early action plan was developed to meet projected needs for the year 1990. Opportunities for meeting long range projected needs for 2020 were considered in lesser detail.