Lakes are an important part of the landscape in Kosciusko County. This neighborhood includes a large glacial lake and lake homes. There are even several recreationists enjoying the lake on sailboats, fishing boats, and kayaks!

The Lake

Both wildlife and people benefit from clean, healthy lakes. Kosciusko County is home to over 100 lakes. These include Lake Wawasee which is Indiana’s largest natural lake and Lake Tippecanoe which is Indiana’s deepest lake.

Lakes are used for a variety of activities including boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, and more! Lakes are habitat for many species of aquatic plants and animals, and a water source for birds, mammals, and more. Lakes provide many economic benefits including creating tourism, protecting fisheries, and increasing property values. The lakes in Kosciusko County contribute over $300 million to the local economy every year.

Shorelines

There are a variety of covers along the lakeshore in this model including glacial stone, native plants, and bare soil. Other common lakeshores that you will find in Kosciusko County include seawalls and grass lawn.

Natural lakeshores are beautiful, decrease erosion from wave action, and filter runoff of stormwater and lawn chemicals. Natural materials like glacial stone and native plants are often the best option and cost less to install and maintain than seawalls.

Learn more about living shorelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Municipal Sewer System

Historically, homes around the lakes have used individual septic systems. Septic systems near lakes have a high risk of contaminating the water with human waste. Leaked wastewater from a septic system can lead to nutrient pollution causing algae blooms and other problems.

Many lakes around the county have created regional sewer districts, installing sewer lines and wastewater treatment plants near the lakes to reduce the risk of lake and groundwater contamination.

County Courthouse

The large building on the south side of the lake is the Kosciusko County courthouse, home of the Kosciusko County Government.

The county courthouse is 152 feet tall, which is about 30 feet taller than Lake Tippecanoe is deep! The courthouse was completed in 1884. The exterior is Indiana Oolitic limestone, mined in southern Indiana. Oolitic limestone was also used to build the Empire State Building (New York City, NY), the Pentagon (Arlington, VA), and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument (Indianapolis, IN). A path all the way to Leesburg could be made with the limestone used to build the courthouse.

Although the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District is located outside of the courthouse at the USDA Service Center, the SWCD is a department of the county government.