Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants
Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act Key Terms & Definitions
Aesthetic Values: The subjective qualities of a lake or other waterbody that contribute to its beauty, scenic appeal, and overall enjoyment for users and nearby residents. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to protect these values by regulating activities that could significantly alter water levels.1
Aquatic Habitat: The natural environment in which aquatic organisms, such as fish, plants, and microorganisms, live and interact within a waterbody. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act seeks to preserve aquatic habitats by maintaining stable water levels in ten-acre lakes.2
Biodiversity: The variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, including the diversity of plant and animal species, genetic diversity, and the diversity of ecosystems themselves. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to protect biodiversity by minimizing the impact of water level fluctuations on aquatic habitats.3
Dredging: The act of removing sediment, debris, or other materials from the bottom of a waterbody using specialized equipment. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act regulates dredging activities in ten-acre lakes to prevent significant alterations to the lake's natural water-holding capacity.4
Ecological Balance: The state of equilibrium within an ecosystem, where the interactions between organisms and their environment are relatively stable and sustainable. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to maintain ecological balance by preventing drastic changes in water levels that could disrupt aquatic ecosystems.5
Ecosystem Functions: The natural processes and interactions that occur within an ecosystem, such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and water purification. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act seeks to protect these functions by maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems in ten-acre lakes.6
Established Legal Level: The legally recognized water level of a lake, as determined by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or other relevant authorities. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act uses this level as a benchmark for regulating activities that could significantly lower water levels.7
Impaired Ecosystem Functions: A state in which the natural processes and interactions within an ecosystem are disrupted or degraded, often due to human activities or environmental stressors. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to prevent impairment of ecosystem functions in ten-acre lakes by regulating water level fluctuations.8
Lake Lowering: The act of intentionally reducing the water level of a lake, either through direct removal of water or by altering the inflow or outflow of water. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act regulates lake lowering activities in ten-acre lakes to protect ecological, recreational, and aesthetic values.9
Loss of Biodiversity: The reduction or elimination of the variety and variability of life forms within an ecosystem, often due to human activities or environmental stressors. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act seeks to prevent loss of biodiversity in ten-acre lakes by maintaining stable water levels and protecting aquatic habitats.10
Mitigation Measures: Actions taken to reduce, minimize, or compensate for the negative impacts of a regulated activity on the environment. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act may require permit applicants to propose and implement mitigation measures to offset the potential adverse effects of lake lowering activities.11
Natural Water Level: The water level of a lake that would occur in the absence of human interference or manipulation, as determined by historical data, hydrological models, or other scientific methods. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act uses this concept as a reference point for evaluating the impact of proposed lake lowering activities.12
Pumping: The act of using mechanical equipment to remove water from a lake or other waterbody. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act regulates pumping activities in ten-acre lakes to prevent significant reductions in water levels that could harm aquatic ecosystems and recreational values.13
Recreational Values: The benefits and enjoyment that people derive from engaging in recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, and swimming, in a lake or other waterbody. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act seeks to protect these values by maintaining stable water levels in ten-acre lakes.14
Restoration Orders: Legal directives issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or other relevant authorities, requiring parties responsible for violating the Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act to take corrective actions to restore the affected lake to its previous condition or to mitigate the damage caused by their activities.15
Significant Reduction: A decrease in the water level of a ten-acre lake that is equal to or greater than twelve inches below the established legal level, as defined by the Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act. This threshold is used to determine whether a proposed lake lowering activity requires a permit under the Act.16
Surface Area: The total area of a lake's surface, typically measured in acres or square miles. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act applies specifically to lakes with a surface area of ten acres or more.17
Ten Acre Lake: A lake or other waterbody with a surface area of ten acres or more, as defined by the Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act. The Act regulates activities that could significantly lower water levels in these lakes to protect their ecological, recreational, and aesthetic values.18
Water Diversion: The act of redirecting water from its natural course or flow, often through the use of canals, pipes, or other structures. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act regulates water diversion activities that could result in a significant reduction of water levels in ten-acre lakes.19
Water Holding Capacity: The amount of water that a lake or other waterbody can naturally retain, based on factors such as its size, depth, and surrounding topography. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to protect the natural water-holding capacity of ten-acre lakes by regulating activities that could significantly alter their physical characteristics.20
Water Level Fluctuations: The natural or human-induced changes in the water level of a lake or other waterbody over time, often in response to variations in precipitation, evaporation, or water use. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act seeks to minimize the impact of human-induced water level fluctuations on ten-acre lakes by regulating lake lowering activities.21
Water Quality: The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water that determine its suitability for various uses, such as drinking, swimming, or supporting aquatic life. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act aims to protect water quality in ten-acre lakes by maintaining stable water levels and preventing the impairment of ecosystem functions.22
Waterbody: A natural or artificial feature that holds water, such as a lake, pond, reservoir, or stream. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act applies specifically to waterbodies with a surface area of ten acres or more.23
Watershed: The land area that drains water, sediment, and dissolved materials to a common outlet, such as a lake, river, or ocean. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act considers the potential impacts of lake lowering activities on the broader watershed when evaluating permit applications.24
Wetlands: Areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and support a distinct ecosystem adapted to these conditions. The Indiana Lowering of Ten Acres Lake Act may consider the potential impacts of lake lowering activities on adjacent wetlands when evaluating permit applications.25
Footnotes
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IC 14-26-5-3(a)(1) ↩
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IC 14-26-5-3(a)(4) ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
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IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
IC 14-26-5-3 ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
IC 14-26-5-4 ↩
IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-3(a)(1) ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
IC 14-26-5-5 ↩
IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-3(a)(2) ↩
IC 14-26-5-3(a)(4) ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
IC 14-26-5-1 ↩
IC 14-26-5-2 ↩
IC 14-26-5-4 ↩
IC 14-26-5-4 ↩
A Note to Our Readers: We hope this guide is a valuable resource in helping you better understand the . However, it's not a substitute for professional advice and doesn't cover every scenario. Always consult with regulatory bodies and professionals for the most current advice and project-specific guidance.