INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Lakes is a 16-acre campground and fishing spot located at 4001 W. Southport Road. The site sits less than half a mile from the White River. On Saturday afternoon, multiple trees leaned against the side of the bridge on West Southport Road over the White River.

Department of Public Works Director Todd Wilson said the water is still rising and will be rising all day long. He urged residents to heed the warnings. A Facebook post from the department listed the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood just south of I-465 and east of the White River as an area at risk of flooding.

The post also listed much of Southport Road west of Tibbs Avenue as an area at risk of flooding. Gov. Mike Braun stated on Saturday afternoon that farmland along the White River as far south as Martinsville could experience flood damages.

Bobby Agan, a Brownsburg retiree, has frequented Indy Lakes with his wife Kim for approximately five years. Agan observed that Lake Le-An-Wa was approximately one to two feet higher than usual. Linda Easterwood works at the Indy Lakes bait shop.

Mike's Southport Fishing Lakes is located near Indy Lakes and sits closer to the White River. A resident of Mike's Southport Fishing Lakes named John stated he has been fishing at Indy Lakes since he was 7 years old. Multiple visitors and residents stated they had no plans to relocate despite awareness of recent flooding in Marion County.

Residents in Rocky Ripple were urged to evacuate early Saturday morning due to extensive flooding. Rocky Ripple is located about 20 miles north of Indy Lakes. Water pooled into the streets of Broad Ripple. Floodwaters tore through River Road near the Keystone Fashion Mall.

Why It Matters

The identification of Indy Lakes as an at-risk area shows the scope of the flooding threat across Marion County. The White River projection of a 21.1-foot crest indicates high water levels that affect areas from Martinsville to neighborhoods near I-465. The Department of Public Works response coordinates warnings for multiple locations, including Sunshine Gardens and Southport Road.

Flooding impacts extend beyond immediate evacuation zones to recreational and residential areas. Residents and visitors at Indy Lakes and nearby Mike's Southport Fishing Lakes face rising waters despite some choosing to remain. The situation involves infrastructure damage, such as trees leaning on bridges, and potential agricultural losses as stated by the governor.

Timeline

On Saturday afternoon, multiple trees leaned against the side of the bridge on West Southport Road over the White River. Gov. Mike Braun stated on Saturday afternoon that farmland along the White River as far south as Martinsville could experience flood damages. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works Facebook post listed the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood just south of I-465 and east of the White River as an area at risk of flooding. Multiple visitors and residents stated they had no plans to relocate despite awareness of recent flooding in Marion County.

Residents in Rocky Ripple were urged to evacuate early Saturday morning due to extensive flooding. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works identified Indy Lakes on the south side as an at-risk area for flooding on Saturday afternoon. Bobby Agan observed that Lake Le-An-Wa was approximately one to two feet higher than usual. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works Facebook post listed much of Southport Road west of Tibbs Avenue as an area at risk of flooding.

What's New

There is no information provided about an inspection, license or enforcement history related to Indy Lakes in the available sources. Department of Public Works Director Wilson said, 'The water is still rising and will be rising all day long,' and urged residents to heed the warnings.

How Sources Differ

Differences also appear in how the department's actions are described. One account says the department identified Indy Lakes on the south side as an at-risk area for flooding on Saturday afternoon. Another cites the Facebook post listing much of Southport Road west of Tibbs Avenue as an area at risk. Additionally, one source references the department identifying Indy Lakes as an at-risk area according to a report from the Indianapolis Star, while another focuses on the Sunshine Gardens listing in the Facebook post.