NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Information Bulletin #3 (Second Amendment)
SUBJECT: Roster of Indiana Waterways Declared Navigable or Nonnavigable
HISTORY: The original bulletin was published at 15 IR 2385 (July 1, 1992). The Natural Resources Commission in March 1997 approved a first revision (published at 20 IR 2920) that superseded the original bulletin. This second revision makes a technical amendment correcting an Internet address and code citations.
A searchable version of this bulletin is available through the Natural Resources Commission Internet Web site at http://www.in.gov/nrc/policy/navigati.html.
Property rights relative to Indiana waterways often are determined by whether the waterway is "navigable." Both common law and statutory law make distinctions founded upon whether a river, stream, embayment, or lake is navigable.
A landmark decision in Indiana with respect to determining and applying navigability is State v. Kivett, 228 Ind. 629, 95 N.E.2d 148 (1950). The Indiana Supreme Court stated that the test for determining navigability is whether a waterway:
was available and susceptible for navigation according to the general rules of river transportation at the time [1816] Indiana was admitted to the Union. It does not depend on whether it is now navigable....The true test seems to be the capacity of the stream, rather than the manner or extent of use. And the mere fact that the presence of sandbars or driftwood or stone, or other objects, which at times render the stream unfit for transportation, does not destroy its actual capacity and susceptibility for that use.
A modified standard for determining navigability applies to a body of water that is artificial. The test for a manmade reservoir, or a similar waterway that did not exist in 1816, is whether it is navigable in fact. Reed v. United States, 604 F. Supp. 1253 (1984).
The court observed in Kivett that "whether the waters within the State under which the lands lie are navigable or non-navigable, is a federal" question and is "determined according to the law and usage recognized and applied in the federal courts, even though" the waterway may not be "capable of use for navigation in interstate or foreign commerce." Federal decisions applied to particular issues of navigability are useful precedents, regardless of whether the decisions originated in Indiana or another state. The primary issue in Kivett was ownership of the riverbed from which the defendant was removing materials. If the waterway was navigable on the date of statehood, title to the bed of the river passed to the state of Indiana and could not ordinarily be conveyed incident to the adjoining riparian property. Also, once a waterway is found to be navigable it remains so, even if the waterway is no longer used for purposes of commercial navigation. United States v. United States Steel Corporation, 482 F.2d 439 (7th Cir. 1973).
In the absence of a contrary state boundary, the appropriate line of demarcation for a navigable waterway is the ordinary high watermark. The Indiana Water Resource, Governor's Water Resource Study Commission, State of Indiana (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 1980), page 107. The Natural Resources Commission has also adopted this standard by rule.
312 IAC 6-1. If not navigable, title to the bed of the river passes to the adjacent property owner or owners.
Ownership is not the only issue determined by whether a waterway is navigable. Public recreational and commercial usage of the surface of a river or stream often depends upon whether the water is navigable. Other legal foundations may, however, authorize public usage. A prescriptive easement may exist. A waterway may be a "public freshwater lake" subject to
IC 14-26-2 and
312 IAC 11-1 through
312 IAC 11-5. Pursuant to
IC 14-29-8, the Natural Resources Commission may, by rule, declare a waterway to be a "recreational stream."
State legislation also establishes regulatory functions that rest upon a determination of navigability. For example, a permit is typically required from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources before a person can
place, fill, or erect a permanent structure in;
remove water from; or
remove material from;
Other notable regulatory standards applicable to navigable waters include
IC 14-18-6 (Lake Michigan fills),
IC 14-29-4-5 (dedication of channels into navigable waters),
IC 14-19-1-1 (general charge of Indiana navigable waters placed in DNR), and
IC 14-29-3 (removal of sand and gravel from the beds of navigable waters).
II. ESTABLISHING A ROSTER
Despite the legal significance of determining whether a particular waterway is or is not navigable, a comprehensive roster of Indiana waters declared navigable has not existed. In part, this absence can be explained by the essentially judicial character of the doctrine of navigability. Since a determination of navigability is ultimately based upon a judicial finding which is both waterway and site specific, any roster is subject to criticism because it is incomplete.
In addition, legislative declarations have identified specific waters as being navigable (or public highways). Although most legislative declarations occurred before 1850, more recently governmental agencies have also determined questions of navigability. Notable examples include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and, at the state level, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission. A determination by any of these legislative or administrative entities is subject to judicial scrutiny and modification.
Even within these limitations, a roster of waters declared navigable can be productive for efforts to regulate and manage the state's waters. With an understanding that any listing of waterways declared navigable is necessarily imperfect and subject to adjustments as new decisions are made, the roster which follows is intended to aid in the regulatory process and in a general public awareness of waterway usage.
A few explanatory remarks are appropriate to the structure of the roster. A waterway is presumed to be navigable at all points downstream from a determination of navigability. A judicial determination as to whether a particular water is or is not navigable generally supersedes a legislative or administrative decision. Unless otherwise refuted, a legislative determination of navigability is presumed to demonstrate historical usage of a waterway for navigation, and a later statutory repeal does not negate the navigability of the waterway.
A declaration of navigability or nonnavigability must be based upon a primary source. These primary sources are a declaration by a court, the legislature, or an agency with jurisdiction over navigable waters. A waterway declared by a primary source to be nonnavigable is identified in brackets. If a waterway is unlisted, no declaration of navigability or nonnavigability has been located from a primary source.
Secondary sources may be applied to determine the geographic limitations of navigability for a particular waterway. Secondary sources include courthouse records, published county histories, periodicals, newspaper articles, interviews, and similar evidence. For example, in the early 19th century, the Indiana General Assembly sometimes identified a stream as being a public highways downstream from a particular mill. Secondary sources are typically applied to determine where the mill is believed to have been located.
Reported state or federal court decisions are applied in seeking to resolve legal issues of navigability which bear upon particular waters (example: where a navigable river is channelized, the new channel becomes navigable and the former channel loses its navigable character when sedimentation causes the bed to surface). Although this roster does not include citations to the authorities applied in determining navigability, these authorities can be obtained through the Indiana Natural Resources Commission.
Natural Resources Commission
Division of Hearings
Indiana Government Center-South
402 West Washington Street, Room W272
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-4699
III. ROSTER OF INDIANA WATERS DECLARED NAVIGABLE OR NONNAVIGABLE (LISTED BY WATERWAY NAME)
Anderson River (including Middle Fork): Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 28.4 river miles to the Perry-Spencer county line. The Middle Fork is navigable from its junction with the Anderson River for 3.3 river miles.
Armuth Ditch: See Black Creek.
Arnold Creek: Navigable in Ohio County from its junction with the Ohio River for 4.4 river miles.
Baker Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek 1.8 river miles.
Bald Knob Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Oil Creek for 0.5 river miles.
Banbango Creek: See Baugo Creek.
Bangango Creek: See Baugo Creek.
Baugo Creek: Navigable from its junction with the St. Joseph River in South Bend for 15.2 river miles to the main forks (near Wakarusa).
Bayou Creek: Navigable in Vanderburgh County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.5 river miles.
Beanblossom Creek: Navigable in Monroe County from its junction with the West Fork of the White River for 17.7 river miles to Griffy Creek.
Bear Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.6 river miles.
Big Blue River: Navigable from its junction with Sugar Creek (to form the Driftwood River) for 55.46 river miles to the Henry-Rush county line.
Big Blue River: See also Blue River.
Big Creek: Navigable in Posey County from its junction with the Wabash River for 25.4 river miles (near Cynthiana). See also Little Fork of Big Creek.
Big Deer Creek: See Deer Creek.
Big Indian Creek: See Indian Creek (Morgan County).
Big Oil Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 10.6 river miles.
Big Poison Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 6.3 river miles.
Big Raccoon Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 42.35 river miles to the Parke-Putnam county line (now Cecil M. Harden Lake). The dam for Harden Lake is located at river mile 33.7.
Big Saluda Creek: Navigable in Jefferson County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.0 river miles.
Big Sandy Creek: See Sandy Creek.
Big Vermillion River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 10.8 river miles to the Illinois state line. (This river is navigable to Carmargo, Illinois.)
Black Creek: Navigable from its junction with the West Fork of the White River (near Edwardsport) for 11.8 river miles (near Marco).
Blue River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 57.15 river miles to Fredricksburg.
Blue River: See also Big Blue River.
Bryant Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.6 river miles.
Buck Creek: Navigable in Harrison County from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.8 river miles.
Buck Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.7 river miles.
Buck Run: Navigable in Ohio County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.1 river miles.
Bull Creek: Navigable in Clark County from its junction with Ohio River for 1.1 river miles.
Bull Hollow: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.7 river miles.
Burns Ditch: See Portage Burns Waterway
Burns Waterway Harbor: Navigable as an extension of Lake Michigan for 1.3 river miles to the Little Calumet River.
Busseron Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River in Knox County for 20.96 river miles. A channelization and relocation of Busseron Creek is navigable from its junction with the Wabash River in Sullivan County (near Rogers Ditch) for 2.85 river miles to its junction with the original channel.
Busserou Creek: See Busseron Creek.
Cagles Mill Lake: See Eel River, and see Mill Creek.
Calumet River: See Grand Calumet River; also Little Calumet River.
Calumet River Canal: See Indiana Harbor Canal.
Cammie Thomas Ditch: Navigable for 7.45 river miles as a channelization of the Muscatatuck River.
Camp Creek: Navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.7 river miles.
Caney Branch: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Big Poison Creek for 0.2 river miles.
Caney Branch: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Little Deer Creek for 0.8 river miles.
Caney Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.8 river miles.
Carman's Creek: See Turman Creek.
Cecil M. Harden Lake: See Big Raccoon Creek.
Clear Creek: Navigable in Monroe County from its junction with Salt Creek for 2.55 river miles (near Harrodsburg).
Clear Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek for 2.4 river miles.
Clover Lick Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.7 river miles.
Conns Creek: Navigable (although with private ownership of the creek bed) from its junction with the Flatrock River for 11.5 river miles to the Rush-Shelby county line.
Crooked Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 7.7 river miles.
Cypress Creek (including Cypress Creek Diversion Channel): Navigable in Warrick County from its junction with the Ohio River for 6.6 river miles. (The original bed of Cypress Creek is also navigable west of Cypress Creek Diversion Channel for 1.95 river miles, except where the creek bed has emerged and is no longer inundated.)
Deer Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.9 river miles.
Driftwood River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River (near Columbus) 15 river miles to its junction with the Big Blue River (near Edinburgh).
Dry Run Creek: Navigable in Crawford County from its junction with the Big Blue River for 1.4 river miles.
East Calumuck River: See Little Calumet River.
East Deer Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Deer Creek for 0.6 river miles.
East Fork of the White River: Navigable from its junction with the White River 189 river miles to its junction with the Flatrock and Driftwood rivers (near Columbus).
East Fork of the Whitewater River: Navigable from its junction with the Whitewater River for 26.25 river miles to the Union-Wayne county line.
Eel River: Navigable from its junction with the West Fork of the White River for 51.2 river miles to its junction with Mill Creek (now within Cagles Mill Lake).
Elk Creek: Navigable in Washington County from its junction with the Cammie Thomas Ditch for 3.0 river miles.
Fanny Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.8 river miles.
Fawn River: Navigable for 13.45 river miles within Indiana. The Fawn River has two navigable segments in Indiana, separated by segments in Michigan. Navigability commences at the Indiana-Michigan state line (near Gilmore Lake and two mile south of Sturgis, Michigan) and continues downstream. The Fawn River has been found to be nonnavigable at Greenfield Mills (river mile 32).
Flat Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Patoka River for 12.0 river miles (near Otwell).
Flatrock River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River (Columbus) 93 river miles to its uppermost point in Henry County (near Mooreland).
Fourteen Mile Creek: Navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.9 river miles.
Garrett Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.2 river miles.
Goose Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.5 river miles.
Grand Calumet River: Navigable from the Illinois state line (near Hammond) for 15.4 river miles to Marquette Park. (The river is also navigable in Illinois.)
Grants Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.5 river miles.
Great Miami River: Navigable for 1.4 river miles in Dearborn County. (Most of this river lies within Ohio; the Great Miami River has been determined to be navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 117 river miles. The waterway enters Indiana at two locations.)
Harden Lake: See Big Raccoon Creek.
Harris Ditch: Navigable in Posey County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.9 river miles to Little Pitcher Lake.
Hogan Creek (including North Fork and South Fork): (The Main Stem of) Hogan Creek is navigable in Dearborn County from the junction on the Ohio River for its entire length of 0.4 river miles. The North Fork is navigable from the junction with Hogan Creek for 4.9 river miles. The South Fork is navigable from the junction with Hogan Creek for 5.0 river miles.
Honey Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.8 river miles.
Houchins Ditch: See Patoka River.
Hurricane Fork: See Little Fork of Big Creek.
Independence Creek: See Indian Creek Harrison County).
Indian Creek: Navigable in Harrison County from its junction with the Ohio River for 4.8 river miles.
Indian Creek: Navigable in Martin County from its junction with the East Fork of the White River for 15.0 river miles to the Lawrence-Martin county line.
Indian Creek: Navigable in Morgan County from its junction with the West Fork of the White River for 3.3 river miles (near Martinsville).
Indian Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 4.1 river miles.
Indian Fork: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 1.4 river miles.
Indian-Kentuck Creek: Navigable in Jefferson County from its mouth on the Ohio River for 3.8 river miles.
Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (including Calumet River Canal and Lake George Canal): The (Main Stem of the) Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal is navigable in Lake County for 3.0 river miles from the Indiana Harbor to where it branches into the Calumet River Canal and the Lake George Canal. The portion of the Main Stem that is ordinarily referred to as the "Indiana Harbor" is lakeward of the historic shoreline of Lake Michigan and is surrounded by manmade land comprising LTV Steel and Inland Steel. The "Ship Canal" (also called the "Indiana Harbor Canal") is the portion of the Main Stem landward of the historic shoreline. The Calumet River Canal is navigable in Lake County from the Indiana Harbor Canal for 1.95 river miles to the Grand Calumet River. The Lake George Canal is navigable in Lake County from the Indiana Harbor Canal for 0.85 river miles (near White Oak Avenue if extended southerly).
Iroquois River: Navigable from the Indiana-Illinois state line for 39 river miles to the Dexter Ditch (near Parr).
Island Branch: Navigable in Ohio County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.0 river miles.
Jackson Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.8 river miles.
Kankakee River: Navigable from the Indiana-Illinois state line for 86.3 river miles to the Indiana-Michigan state line. (This river is also navigable downstream in Illinois.)
Kelly Bayou: Navigable in Sullivan County from its downstream junction with an oxbow of the Wabash River for 5.8 river miles to its upstream junction with the Wabash River.
Kelly Hollow: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Millstone Creek for 1.0 river miles.
Kemper Ditch: See Little Calumet River.
Kingly Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
Knob Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
Lake Drain: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.6 river miles.
Lake George Canal: See Indiana Harbor Canal.
Lake Michigan: Navigable throughout Indiana.
Lancassange Creek: Navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.3 river miles.
Laughery Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 10.8 river miles (near Milton).
Lick Creek: Navigable in Orange County from its junction with the Lost River for 19.5 river miles to Old Spring Mill (near Paoli).
Little Blue River: Navigable in Crawford County from its junction with the Ohio River (near Alton) for 10.6 river miles.
Little Blue River: Navigable from its junction with the Big Blue River (Shelbyville) for 25.6 river miles to its junction with Ball Run.
Little Calumet River: Navigable from the Indiana-Illinois state line for 21.24 river miles to Burns Waterway Harbor, and navigable for an additional 17.75 river miles to its junction (as Kemper Ditch) with Interstate 94. (The river is also navigable in Illinois.)
Little Creek: See Little Fork of Big Creek.
Little Deer Creek: Navigable from its junction with Deer Creek for 3.9 river miles.
Little Fork of Big Creek: Navigable in Posey County from its junction with Big Creek for 5.1 river miles.
Little Oil Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 4.4 river miles.
Little Pigeon Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 15.8 river miles.
Little Pitcher Lake: Navigable in Posey County as an extension of Harris Ditch.
Little Raccoon Creek: Navigable in Parke County from its junction with Big Raccoon Creek for 5.3 river miles (Nevins Covered Bridge).
Little River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River 20.2 river miles to Ellison Road (near Fort Wayne).
Little Sandy Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.0 river miles.
Little Wabash River: See Little River.
Locust Creek: Navigable in Vanderburgh County from its junction with Pigeon Creek for 1.5 river miles.
Log Lick Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.3 river miles.
Lost River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River for 48.87 river miles (near Orangeville).
McFadden Creek: Navigable in Posey County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.3 river miles.
Marble Powers Ditch: See Kankakee River.
Maumee River: Navigable from the Indiana-Ohio state line 27.05 river miles to the Hosey Dam, Fort Wayne. (The river is also navigable in Ohio; the river may be alternatively described as navigable to total river mile 134.9. The Indiana-Ohio state line is located at total river mile 107.85.)
Middle Fork of Anderson River: See Anderson River.
Mill Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Eel River (now Cagles Mill Lake) for 32.45 river miles to the Hendricks-Morgan county line. See also Mill Creek Ditch.
Mill Creek: Navigable in Crawford County from its junction with the Little Blue River for 1.4 river miles.
Mill Creek Ditch: Navigable from its junction with Mill Creek upstream for 1.35 river miles to the Hendricks-Morgan county line.
Millstone Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.4 river miles.
Mississinewa River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 109.75 river miles to the Indiana-Ohio state line.
Monroe Lake: See Salt Creek.
Mosquito Creek: Navigable in Harrison County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.8 river miles.
Mud Creek: Navigable from its junction with Mill Creek (near Little Point) for 5.6 river miles to Tudor Road (near Hazelwood).
Muscatatuck River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River for 24.25 river miles to the main forks. See also Vernon Fork of Muscatatuck River, South Fork of Muscatatuck River, and Cammie Thomas Ditch.
Neglie Creek: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Little Deer Creek for 0.5 river miles.
North Fork of Hogan Creek: See Hogan Creek.
North Fork of Muscatatuck River: See Vernon Fork of Muscatatuck River.
North Fork of Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with Salt Creek for 36.7 river miles to its junction with David Branch (near Nashville).
Ohio River: Navigable throughout the state (from total river mile 491.34 to total river mile 848.0).
Oil Creek: See Big Oil Creek.
Patoka River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 146.6 river miles (within Greenfield Township, Orange County).
Pickamink River: Iroquois River.
Pigeon Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.9 river miles.
Plum Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.9 river miles.
Poison Creek: See Big Poison Creek.
Portage Burns Waterway: Navigable in its entirety (1.3 river miles) as a connection between the Little Calumet River and Lake Michigan. (The point at which Portage Burns Waterway connects with the Little Calumet River is now considered the separation between the East Branch and the West Branch of the Little Calumet River.)
Potato Run: Navigable in Harrison County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.4 river miles.
Raccoon Creek: See Big Raccoon Creek.
Rock River: See Sugar Creek.
Rider Ditch: Navigable in Jackson County as a channelization of the Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck River.
St. Joseph River: Navigable throughout Indiana (Elkhart and St. Joseph counties) for 39.57 river miles. The river enters Indiana from Michigan and returns to Michigan. (The river is also navigable downstream in Michigan, and the river may be alternatively described as navigable from total river mile 49.93 to total river mile 89.5.)
Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River into Monroe Lake. See also the North Fork of Salt Creek.
Sample Run: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
Sand Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with Bryant Creek for 0.9 river miles.
Sand Run: See Sand Creek.
Sandy Creek: Navigable in Spencer County from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.6 river miles.
Silver Creek: Navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 3.0 river miles.
Smart Ditch: Navigable in Jackson County as a channelization of the Muscatatuck River (and the Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck River).
South Fork of Big Creek: See Little Fork of Big Creek.
South Fork of Hogan Creek: See Hogan Creek.
South Fork of Muscatatuck River: Navigable from its junction with the Muscatatuck River 28.1 river miles to its junction with Graham Creek.
Sugar Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Big Blue River (to form the Driftwood River) for 24.4 river miles (near Boggstown).
Sugar Creek: Navigable from its junction on the Wabash River (near West Union) for 56.83 river miles to the Montgomery-Boone county line.
Tanners Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg for 10.6 river miles.
Tate's Hollow: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.3 river miles.
Thomas Ditch: See Cammie Thomas Ditch.
Tippecanoe River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River in Tippecanoe County for 32.0 river miles to the Norway Dam that forms Lake Shafer in White County. [Added October 2000 by the NRC based on recent decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.]
Trail Creek: Navigable in LaPorte County from its junction with Lake Michigan for 1.0 river miles. For purposes of this delineation, the shoreline of Lake Michigan is identified at the approximate site of the Franklin Street "Draw" Bridge.
Turman Creek: Navigable in Sullivan County from its junction with the Wabash River for 7.9 river miles (near Dodds Bridge).
Turtle Creek: Navigable in Switzerland County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.3 river miles.
Twin Creek: Navigable in Washington County from its junction with the East Fork of the White River for 7.98 river miles to the Cox Ferry Road Bridge near the Jefferson-Brown township line.
Vermillion River: See Big Vermillion River.
Vernon Fork of Muscatatuck River: Navigable from its junction with the Muscatatuck River for 39.3 river miles to Vernon (S.R. 7). See also Rider Ditch.
Wabash River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 441.9 river miles to the Wells-Adams county line.
Webb Branch: Navigable in Perry County from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.9 river miles.
West Fork of the White River: Navigable from its junction with the White River 277 river miles to Smithfield, Delaware County.
West Fork of the Whitewater River: Navigable from its junction with the Whitewater River for 64.3 river miles to the three forks (near Connersville).
White River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 49.5 river miles to where it branches into the East Fork of the White River and the West Fork of the White River.
Whitewater River: Navigable from the Ohio state line for 29.65 river miles to where it branches into the East Fork of the Whitewater River and the West Fork of the Whitewater River. (The river is also navigable downstream in Ohio; the river may be alternatively described as navigable from total river mile 7.9 to total river mile 96.9.)
Wilson Creek: Navigable in Dearborn County from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.9 river miles.
Yellow River: Navigable from its junction with the Kankakee River for 41.0 river miles to Plymouth.
IV. ROSTER OF INDIANA WATERS DECLARED NAVIGABLE OR NONNAVIGABLE (LISTED BY COUNTY NAME)
(1) [St. Marys River: Nonnavigable.]
(2) [Wabash River: Nonnavigable.]
(1) Little River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River 20.2 river miles to Ellison Road.
(2) Maumee River: Navigable from the Indiana-Ohio state line 27.05 river miles to the Hosey Dam (Fort Wayne).
(3) [St. Mary's River: Nonnavigable.]
(1) Driftwood River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River (Columbus) to the county line.
(2) East Fork of White River: Navigable from the county line to its junction with the Driftwood and Flatrock rivers (Columbus).
(3) Flatrock River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River (Columbus) to the county line.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) North Fork of Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with Salt Creek for 36.7 river miles to its junction with David Branch (near Nashville).
(2) Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River into Lake Monroe.
(1) Tippecanoe River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Bull Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.1 river miles.
(2) Camp Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.7 river miles.
(3) Fourteen Mile Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.9 river miles.
(4) Lancassange Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.3 river miles.
(5) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(6) Silver Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 3.0 river miles.
(1) Eel River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Dry Run Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Big Blue River for 1.4 river miles.
(3) Little Blue River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 10.6 river miles.
(4) Mill Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Little Blue River for 1.4 river miles.
(5) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) East Pork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) West Fork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Great Miami River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Hogan Creek (including North Fork and South Fork): Hogan Creek (Main Stem) is navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for the entire length (0.4 river miles). The North Fork of Hogan Creek is navigable from its junction with Hogan Creek for 4.9 river miles. The South Fork of Hogan Creek is navigable from its junction with Hogan Creek for 5.0 river miles.
(3) Laughery Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 10.8 river miles (near Milton).
(4) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Tanners Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg for 10.6 river miles.
(6) Whitewater River: Navigable throughout the county.
(7) Wilson Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.9 river miles.
(1) Flatrock River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Mississinewa River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) West Fork of the White River: Navigable to Smithfield.
(1) Flat Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Patoka River throughout the county.
(2) East Fork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Patoka River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Baugo Creek (formerly Banbango or Bangango Creek): Navigable from its junction with the St. Joseph River in South Bend for 15.2 river miles to the main forks (near Wakarusa).
(2) St. Joseph River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) West Fork of the Whitewater River: Navigable to the three forks (near Connersville).
(1) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Silver Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 3.0 river miles.
(1) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) East Pork of the Whitewater River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the Whitewater River.
(2) West Fork of the Whitewater River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the Whitewater River.
(3) Whitewater River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable. There is a discussion of navigability relative to a determination that Nyona Lake as a public freshwater lake in Bath v. Courts, Ind. App., 459 N.E.2d 72 (1984).
(1) Patoka River (also known as Houchins Ditch): Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the Wabash River.
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) White River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction on the Wabash River.
(1) Mississinewa River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Black Creek: Navigable to near Marco.
(2) Eel River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the West Fork of the White River.
(3) West Fork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) West Fork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the Ohio River.
(2) Buck Creek: Navigable 5.8 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(3) Indian Creek: Navigable 4.8 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(4) Mosquito Creek: Navigable 2.8 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(5) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(6) Potato Run: Navigable 0.4 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(1) Mud Creek: Navigable to Tudor Road (near Hazelwood).
(1) Flatrock River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) [Huntington Lake: Nonnavigable for interstate commerce.]
(2) Little River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction on the Wabash River.
(3) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) East Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Muscatatuck River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Iroquois River: Navigable to near Parr.
(2) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Big Saluda Creek: Navigable 1.0 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(2) Indian-Kentuck Creek: Navigable 3.8 river miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
(3) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Muscatatuck River: Navigable to the main forks.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) East Fork of White River: Navigable to its junction with the Flatrock and Driftwood rivers.
(3) Sugar Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Big Blue River (to form the Driftwood River) throughout the county.
(4) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Black Creek: Navigable from its junction with the West Fork of the White River (near Edwardsport) throughout the county.
(2) Busseron Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the White River.
(5) White River: Navigable throughout the county from its junction with the Wabash River.
(1) [Tippecanoe Lake: Nonnavigable.]
(1) Fawn River: Two segments of the river are navigable in Lagrange County. These segments are separated by portions of the river in Michigan. The Fawn River has been found to be nonnavigable at Greenfield Mills (river mile 32).
(1) Grand Calumet River: Navigable from the Illinois state line (near Hammond) to Marquette Park.
(2) Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Lake Michigan: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Little Calumet River: Navigable throughout the county.
(6) [Wolf Lake: Nonnavigable.]
(1) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Lake Michigan: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Trail Creek: Navigable 1.0 river miles from its junction with Lake Michigan.
(4) [Unnamed Lake: Located in the north one-half of section 8, township 36 north, range 1 west is a nonnavigable lake.]
(1) East Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of White River throughout the county.
(1) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) West Fork of the White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Yellow River: Navigable to Plymouth.
(1) East Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Indian Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Lost River: Navigable from its junction with East Fork of the White River.
(1) Mississinewa River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Beanblossom Creek: Navigable to Griffy Creek.
(2) Clear Creek: Navigable to near Harrodsburg.
(3) North Fork of Salt Creek: Navigable from its junction with Salt Creek (within Lake Monroe) throughout the county.
(4) Salt Creek: Navigable into Lake Monroe.
(5) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Sugar Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Indian Creek: Navigable from its junction with the West Fork of the White River for 3.3 river miles.
(2) [Lambs Creek: Nonnavigable.]
(3) Mill Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Mill Creek Ditch: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Mud Creek: Navigable from its junction with Mill Creek throughout the county.
(6) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Iroquois River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Arnold Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 4.4 river miles.
(2) Buck Run: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.1 river miles.
(3) Island Branch: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.0 river miles.
(4) Laughery Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Lick Creek: Navigable downstream from Old Spring Mill (near Paoli).
(2) Lost River: Navigable to near Orangeville.
(3) Patoka River: Navigable within Greenfield Township and downstream.
(1) Cagles Mill Lake: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Eel River: Navigable to Cagles Mill Lake.
(3) Mill Creek: See Cagles Mill Lake.
(4) West Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Big Raccoon Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Little Raccoon Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Raccoon Creek for 5.3 river miles (Nevins Covered Bridge).
(3) Cecil M. Harden Lake: See Big Raccoon Creek.
(4) Sugar Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Anderson River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River along the Spencer County line.
(2) Bald Knob Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.5 river miles.
(3) Bear Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.6 river miles.
(4) Big Deer Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.9 river miles. See Deer Creek.
(5) Big Oil Creek (including Webb Branch): Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 10.6 river miles. Webb Branch is navigable from its junction on Big Oil Creek for 0.9 river miles.
(6) Big Poison Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 6.3 river miles.
(7) Buck Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.7 river miles.
(8) Bull Hollow: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.7 river miles.
(9) Caney Branch of Big Poison Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Poison Creek for 0.2 river miles.
(10) Caney Branch of Little Deer Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Deer Creek for 0.8 river miles.
(11) Clover Lick Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 0.7 river miles.
(12) Deer Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.9 river miles.
(13) East Deer Creek: Navigable from its junction with Deer Creek for 0.6 river miles.
(14) Fanny Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.8 river miles.
(15) Indian Fork: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 1.4 river miles.
(16) Kelly Hollow: Navigable from its junction with Millstone Creek for 1.0 river miles.
(17) Kingly Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
(18) Knob Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
(19) Little Deer Creek (also known as West Fork of Deer Creek): Navigable from its junction with Deer Creek for 3.9 river miles.
(20) Little Oil Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Oil Creek for 4.4 river miles.
(21) Little Poison Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Poison Creek for 1.2 river miles.
(22) Millstone Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.4 river miles.
(23) Neglie Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Deer Creek for 0.5 river miles.
(24) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(25) Oil Creek: See Big Oil Creek.
(26) Poison Creek: See Big Poison Creek.
(27) Sample Run: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.2 river miles.
(28) Tates Hollow: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.3 river miles.
(29) Webb Branch: See Big Oil Creek.
(1) East Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Flat Creek: Navigable downstream from a point in Franklin Township.
(3) Patoka River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Burns Ditch: See Portage Burns Waterway.
(2) Portage Burns Waterway: Navigable in its entirety (1.3 river miles) as a connection between the Little Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
(3) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Lake Michigan: Navigable throughout the county.
(5) Little Calumet River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Big Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River for 25.4 river miles (near Cynthiana).
(2) Harris Ditch: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.9 river miles.
(3) Hurricane Fork: See Little Fork of Big Creek.
(4) Little Fork of Big Creek: Navigable from its junction with Big Creek for 5.1 river miles.
(5) Little Pitcher Lake: Navigable as an extension of Harris Ditch.
(6) South Fork: See Little Fork of Big Creek.
(7) McFadden Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.3 river miles.
(8) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(9) Wabash River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Cagles Mill Lake: See Eel River, and see Mill Creek.
(2) Eel River: Navigable upstream to its junction with Mill Creek (now within Cagles Mill Lake).
(3) Mill Creek: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Mississinewa River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Flatrock River: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) Little Blue River: Navigable downstream from its junction with Ball Run in Posey Township.
(1) Baugo Creek (formerly Banbango Creek): Navigable from its junction with the St. Joseph River throughout the county.
(2) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) St. Joseph River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Cammie Thomas Ditch: Navigable as a channelization of the Muscatatuck River.
(2) Muscatatuck River: Navigable throughout the county.
(3) South Fork of Muscatatuck River: Navigable from its junction with the Muscatatuck River upstream to its junction with Graham Creek at river mile 28.1.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Conns Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Flatrock River throughout the county (but with private ownership of the creek bed).
(3) Flatrock River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Little Blue River: Navigable from its junction with the Big Blue River (Shelbyville) throughout the county.
(5) Sugar Creek: Navigable to Hough Cemetery (near Boggstown).
(1) Anderson River: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River throughout the county.
(2) Baker Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek for 1.8 river miles.
(3) Caney Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.8 river miles.
(4) Clear Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek for 2.4 river miles.
(5) Crooked Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 7.7 river miles.
(6) Garrett Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.2 river miles.
(7) Honey Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.8 river miles.
(8) Jackson Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.8 river miles.
(9) Lake Drain: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.6 river miles.
(10) Little Pigeon Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 15.8 river miles.
(11) Little Sandy Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.0 river miles.
(12) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(13) Sandy Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.6 river miles.
(1) Kankakee River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Yellow River: Navigable from its junction with the Kankakee River throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Busseron Creek: Navigable to near Caledonia.
(2) Kelly Bayou: Navigable from its downstream junction with an oxbow of the Wabash River to its upstream junction of the Wabash River.
(3) Turman Creek: Navigable from its junction on the Wabash River for 7.9 river miles.
(4) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Bryant Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.6 river miles.
(2) Goose Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River 1.5 river miles.
(3) Grants Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.5 river miles.
(4) Indian Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 4.1 river miles.
(5) Log Lick Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.3 river miles.
(6) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(7) Plum Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 2.9 river miles.
(8) Sand Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 0.9 river miles.
(9) Turtle Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.3 river miles.
(1) Tippecanoe River: Navigable from its junction with the Wabash River.
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) East Fork of Whitewater River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Bayou Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 1.5 river miles.
(2) Locust Creek: Navigable from its junction with Pigeon Creek for 1.5 river miles.
(3) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Pigeon Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 5.9 river miles.
(1) Big Vermillion River: Navigable for 10.8 miles from its junction with the Wabash River throughout the county (and for a total of 22.6 river miles to Carmargo, Illinois).
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Mississinewa River: Navigable throughout the county.
(2) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Baker Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek for 1.8 river miles.
(2) Big Pigeon Creek: See Pigeon Creek.
(3) Clear Creek: Navigable from its junction with Little Pigeon Creek for 2.4 river miles.
(4) Cypress Creek (including Cypress Creek Diversion Channel): Navigable from its junction with the Ohio River for 6.6 river miles. (The original bed of Cypress Creek is also navigable west of Cypress Creek Diversion Channel, except where the creek bed has emerged and is no longer inundated.)
(5) Little Pigeon Creek: Navigable from its junction on the Ohio River for 15.8 river miles.
(6) Ohio River: Navigable throughout the county.
(1) Big Blue River: Navigable to the town of Fredricksburg at river mile 57.2.
(2) Cammie Thomas Ditch: Navigable as a channelization of the Muscatatuck River.
(3) East Fork of White River: Navigable throughout the county.
(4) Elk Creek: Navigable from its junction with the Cammie Thomas Ditch to river mile 3.0.
(5) Muscatatuck River: Navigable from its junction with the East Fork of the White River throughout the county.
(6) Twin Creek: Navigable from the East Fork of White River to river mile 7.98.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
(1) Wabash River: Navigable throughout the county (with navigability terminating at the Adams County line).
(1) Tippecanoe River: Navigable to river mile 32.0 at the Norway Dam that forms Lake Shafer.
No waterway has been declared navigable or nonnavigable.
Posted: 10/11/2006 by Legislative Services Agency
DIN: 20061011-IR-312060440NRA
Composed: Apr 19,2024 6:16:22AM EDT
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