Ind. Code ch. 14-26-7

in effect

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-1 Applicability of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to the following: (1) The construction of new ditches and drains. (2) Alterations, changes, or other improvements to existing ditches and drains. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-2 Ditches or drains through line of freshwater lake; dam required

Sec. 2. A: (1) person may not locate, make, dig, dredge, or in any manner construct; and (2) court, county executive, body of viewers, or drainage commissioners may not order or recommend the location, establishment, or construction of; a ditch or drain cutting into, through, or upon the line of a freshwater lake unless a dam has been provided for and constructed to adequately protect the water level of each lake likely to be affected. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-3 Ditches or drains within one-half mile of freshwater lake; dam required

Sec. 3. A person may not locate, dig, make, dredge, or in any way construct a ditch or drain having a bottom depth lower than the level of a freshwater lake as established by law within one-half (1/2) mile of any point on the line of the lake unless a dam has been provided for and constructed to adequately protect the water level of each lake likely to be affected. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-4 Construction of dams

Sec. 4. A dam required by this chapter shall be constructed: (1) before any work on the proposed drainage; and (2) according to plans and specifications furnished or approved by the engineering division. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-5 Interference with dam, bank, or levee prohibited

Sec. 5. A person may not: (1) cut into or around; (2) attempt to cut into or around; (3) interfere with; or (4) attempt to interfere with, change, or destroy; a dam, bank, or levee constructed under Indiana law for the purpose of maintaining the water level of a freshwater lake at the established level. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-2 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-6 Interference with banks or shores of freshwater lakes prohibited

Sec. 6. A person may not: (1) cut into or through; (2) attempt to cut into or through; (3) interfere with; or (4) attempt to interfere with; the banks or shores of a freshwater lake or any part of the lake in such a way as to lower or tend to lower the water of the lake. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-2 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-7 Alteration of dam, spillway, or outlet to lake

Sec. 7. Subject to IC 14-26-8 and IC 36-9-27, a person, court, county executive, body of viewers, or drainage board may not do any of the following: (1) Interfere with, change, alter, or attempt to interfere with, change, or alter a bank, dam, spillway, or outlet of a freshwater lake. (2) Dig, dredge, or in any way lower or attempt to lower an outlet or part of an outlet to a freshwater lake at any point in the outlet within three-fourths (3/4) mile of the lake. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-3.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-26-7-8 Violations

Sec. 8. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class A infraction. Notwithstanding IC 34-28-5-4, a judgment for a Class A infraction imposed under this section may not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-17-4.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.195-2014, SEC.34.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14Fetched: 10/17/2026