The issue of “funneling”...

Funneling is an increasingly critical issue for many lakes as more and more residents seek the joy of lake living. Funneling is described as when someone purchases a lakefront property, acreage near  that lake property, and then permits lake access for the now developed larger property’s residents and visitors. A complex political problem for many counties, the results of funneling are illustrated in the simplified  schoolboy drawings below...

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At left, the drawing depicts a lake with modest, single-family residences. The one boat shown, is, of course, unusual in today’s recreationally minded society. Most lake dwellers own an average of two and one-half motorized vessels. So, it is necessary to consider multiple watercraft at today’s Indiana lakes.

 

While the illustration is small, the principles of funneling apply.

 

Note the “vacant” property at the top of the illustration.

In the drawing at right the “vacant” property has been purchased and become part of an adjacent development. Shown are the simple results a large development with a lakefront access property could have on a lake, considering only boating and boat population. Again, the illustration presumes only one watercraft per household. The lakeshore resident boats are in green, and the development homeowner boats are in pink.

 

The result can be almost immediate over-use of the lake.

 

The issue is not who has the right to use our natural resources, but the impact an overabundance of people and motorized watercraft can have on the lake ecosystem.

 

Determining exactly how much use a lake can withstand in the constant churning brought about by watercraft is difficult. Many ecologists say the “limit” may only be determined when the ecosystem is near collapse.

 

Solutions are difficult and usually result in a heated, politically charged, debate.

For information on the limits or restrictions on lakeside development in your area, contact your local planning or zoning department.

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