Lake Freeman water levels causes restaurant's seawall to crumble

News 18 spoke to the owner of the Sportsman Inn about why he thinks low water led to the collapse of a seawall, and why an expert said he's right.

A lake freeman business owner says low lake levels are putting his restaurant in jeopardy.

And it's not due to a lack of business.

I spoke to the owner of the sportsman inn about why he thinks low water led to the collapse of a seawall.

And why an expert says he's right.

Nat--lake sounds george wade "my worst fear is that the entire seawall collapses and the restaurant falls into the water."

Sportsman inn owner george wade has a big problem.

George wade "it just basically collapsed and today clearly worse than yesterday.

So, it's not done yet."

The seawall behind his restaurant is on the brink of collapsing.

George wade "clearly the lack of rain has amplified the situation."

As we've been reporting, endangered mussels in the tippecanoe river led u-s fish and wildlife to increase the mandatory level of the river.

That causes lake when there's not enough rain.

Right now, the shafer freeman lakes environmental conservation corporation is waiting for the u-s court of appeals to over turn the ruling.

George wade "i feel like right now what's going to happen is, we're going to have to wait until we get water."

Sam stand up "if you look behind me, you can see the earth is crumbling towards the seawall causing it to push toward the lake.

Wade says he believes it's directly related to the fact that the lake isn't high enough to support the other side."

George wade "there's got to be a way to put some water back in so people can fix the damage before it gets worse."

Shorescape inc.

Owner dave jordan says wade is right.

His company builds and repairs seawalls.

Dave jordan "it takes the pressure off the wall and there's more pressure behind, it's going to push out."

Jordan says the soil can become unstable behind the seawall.

When the water level drops, it can no longer support the weight of the soil.

Jordan says he's seen about six properties with the same problem.

Jordan "it's going to be a real mess if the lake don't get back up and winter sets in."

Wade wants something to be done before someone else has the same problem.

George wade "how many houses have to go into the water or seawalls have to fail before something gets done?"

The appeals court did not give a specific date on when it would reach a decision about changing the amount of water required in the river.

However, a letter from sflecc says it could be as long as 11 months before a ruling is made.

I called the indiana office of u-s fish and wildlife for comment.

They have not returned my call.