Brushcreek Res. close to North Vernon & Lake Lemon

[junior]

I know many of us are wondering when will DNR or "Homeland" security open up Brushcreek. For the past 3 years we have been told the dam was in need of repair, the water level is down very - very low. We also have been told the Navy Seals are doing some water training, and on the weekend fishing will be allowed.
Any one living in or around North Vernon know the true story.

How bad was Lake Lemon hit, with the Storms Sunday night 4-2-06? got any idea of the water color, and water temps.?

[mklusman]

Brush Creek does in fact have a faulty dam and the water level was lowered several years ago in an attempt to reduce the damage. The problem is that the reservoir should have never been built there. Water is leaking through the bedrock surrounding the dam and erroding it. The latest information I heard was that they had requested quotes for someone to do a back-fill project on the dam last year. I don't know what the status of that work is. All of this happened long before Muscatatuck was shut down, so don't blame the Army for it.

Currently, the reservoir is about 9' below pool and it's impossible to use the ramp facilities. I suppose you can drag a small boat across the mud flats to the water, but not something I'd want to do. I certainly hope they get the water level back up sometime. It used to be a very good spot to fish and I would imagine that it has only gotten better since it has had almost no fishing pressure for several years now.

[junior]

Honest I would "NEVER" blame the Army. The Army saved my life when I was in Viet-Nam. Puff the Magic Dragon to the rescue of about 40 U.S. Marines, just south of the "Z"

I fished that water most of my life, just wondering if anyone knew the outcome "or" the future of some "good water" to fish with your grandkids.

Thanks for your info.
Semper Fi

[mperry]

I had heard something about Brush creek several years ago. Supposedly the were getting ready to make the lake bigger. It was bought by the corp of engineers and they were going to turn it into the 3rd largest lake in the state. Anyone else hear this. I have not fished over there in about 10 years so all of this was new to me. We used to be able to catch good bluegill out of there and boat loads of crappie but the crappie were on the small side.
Mike

[mklusman]

I would seriously doubt any rumor about enlarging the reservoir. The land just isn't suitable for it. The bedrock is just too pourous and allows water to leach through it. The more water you put behind the dam, the more pressure on the banks, the more seapage through the banks, and the more underground errosion you get...leading to a failure of the dam. That is the reason they have maintained the lower water level; to reduce the water pressure. I cannot even find a definitive answer as to whether they'll raise the level back once the dam is "fixed" or not. I would at least hope that they would build a new access point so we could use the reservoir again. However, given the reduced size with the lower water level, I don't know how usable it would ever be.

I'd really like to get it back as a fishing area too. I caught the biggest bass of my life (9 lbs) there when I was in high school many years ago. I haven't been able to fish it much since then, but I have an uncle who always fished there and he still says it was his favorite spot.

[Chigger_Brumbalow]

I can neither confirm, nor deny that Seal Team 4 is conducting training operations in the area, if indeed such an operation existed.

I will tell you this, and I warn you this is classified information, Brushcreek Reservoir has been selected for the next nuclear underwater demolition experiment.

Now keep that under your hat now, I don't want to have to leave the area in the middle of the night by helicopter extraction. With camo-mudd all over my face.

By the way, are there any Golden Corral buffets near Brushcreek Reservoir? Me and my unit are tired of going all the way into Bloomington to eat.

CHARLIE DON'T SURF!

[rangerbull]

Here is a dnr site that will give you some info on what is happening at brush creek.
http://www.in.gov/dnr/water/comm_ass...ed/brushcreek/

[junior]

If you go to North Vernon, on Main street find a tavern caller "Millers Bar" They have the State record bass mounted on the wall. The bass was caught at Brushcreek Res.

A local man by the name of Buck Horton caught that bass back in the 60's. The tavern also has the Indy Star write up with the picture of that bass with "Buck" in the photo. A live night crawler was the bait he used, with a bait caster.

I just spoke to the property mgr.,,,,, Purdue, now has the property, and the job of fixing the dam. Purdue is working with DNR and Homeland security. to repair the leaks. They are going to build another spillway, backfill the area where the leak is. The work started about three weeks ago. Mr Dailey (the property Mgr.) thought around late summer or fall the work should be finished.

Then the property will go to the U.S. Army, they will use the lake to do underwater and above water training. On those days the lake will be off limmits to fishermen. Those T- days will be posted at the ramp several weeks before, so the fishermen can plan around them. North Vernon gets the towns water from Brushcreek, because of the leaking dam, the town could be with out water if the dam would fail. That possibabily kept the repair on the front burner.

Thanks to all involived.