Barbee Lakes Neighborhood Watch

04/17/2026

Update: I just spoke with the Central Dispatcher (Thursday, 9:30 p.m.) for the IDNR. He said if we have question to go to www.IN.GovDNR. In the upper right hand corner the is a search box, type in the word “Boating”. The 5th item listed, lake advisory, will give us the latest information on all lakes. He read it to me over the phone and the Barbee Chain is closed to motorboat boating operations as of April 9th. It has not been updated since that time. MOTORBOAT OPERATIONS PROHIBITED on the Barbee Chain of Lakes. I went to the website, typed in the word boating in the search bar and read the 5th item in the list. The post is listed below.
Weather events sometimes lead the Department of Natural Resources to restrict or close public freshwater lakes to motorboat traffic. This web page provides the boating public and lakefront property owners with current information on restrictions or closures at public freshwater lakes.
CURRENT ADVISORIES

Last updated April 9, 2026
West Lakes Chain (Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, Jones) - motorboat operations prohibited.
Smalley Lake - motorboat operations prohibited.
Sylvan Lake - idle speed restriction.
Barbee Lakes Chain (Kuhn, Big Barbee, Little Barbee, Irish, Sechrist, Sawmill, Banning) - motorboat operations prohibited.
Tippecanoe Lake Chain (Lake Tippecanoe, Oswego, James lakes) - idle speed restriction.
Lake Wawasee - idle speed restriction.
Indian Lakes Chain (Witmer, Westler, Dallas, Hackenberg and Messick lakes - idle speed restriction.

04/15/2026

Interesting.

Syracuse and North Webster lake levels are controlled by two different structures - a water control device and a dam.

04/15/2026

The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for south central Noble and Whitley Counties until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.

04/15/2026

The Kosciusko County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals will meet at 8:40 a.m. Monday, May 18, in the Old Courtroom on the third floor of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

04/15/2026

Getting Better!

EVENING STORM RISK: Watching for t'storms later this evening, some of which may be strong/severe. The primary risk will be gusty wind, but some hail and flooding is possible as well. Timing appears to be mainly after sunset, through the early overnight hours.

Nothing too major here, but wanted to keep you in the loop with latest thoughts. I'll post later today as it begins setting up in IL. Very typical severe weather setup for this time of year. I don't think it'll be much of an issue, but will keep ya updated :)

Thanks to Pro Resources Staffing Services for powering the update! Need a job or need a job done? Call Pro Resources! 40 years of connecting people to jobs.

04/05/2026

He Is Risen! ✝️🙏

Happy Easter!

04/05/2026

Praying water recedes with no property damage.

WARMING TREND: While we've dealt with some crazy ups & downs the past few weeks, it does look like that trend continues... but with a more consistent upswing as we head towards the second half of next week. Many days in the 60s and possibly 70s on the way after we tackle some 40/50s early week.

Are you looking forward to a more consistent pattern??

04/03/2026

BLPOA Newsletters and applications were mailed March 20th. If you did not recieve them email [email protected] & we will send one.

04/02/2026

Everyday Heroes!

04/02/2026

BLPOA Newsletters & Applications were mailed on March 20th. If you did not receive it, please send an email to [email protected].

03/27/2026

We’re in for some cold weather BETTER GET THE GLOVES BACK OUT!

For additional context to my post a few hours ago (scroll up for a more detailed analysis), we are level #3 of 5 on the risk scale for THURSDAY. This includes basically Indiana north to the Michigan line, with Michigan being #2 out of 5.

The primary threat is damaging wind and large hail. The tornado threat is low (especially compared to a few weeks ago), but it is not zero, especially early evening. Once storms gel into a line, the threat is almost exclusively straight line wind.

Nothing to get worked up about right now! Goal is to spread the information so folks know to be weather aware at & after dinner on Thursday. :) Timing is 6p through about midnight.