05/21/2026
HIGH WATER UPDATE FOR MAY 21
Did you know that it takes 3 to 5 days for the majority of runoff from a rainfall to reach the reservoir? This means that we are still experiencing inflow from rain events on Monday and Tuesday (and even Saturday). In just the past 72 hours, over 5" of rain have fallen in our watershed and that's driving a rapid increase in reservoir water level.
As of 9 a.m. on May 21, the reservoir has risen to 549.75' - or 11.75' above normal pool (3 feet higher than it was on Monday!). Another rain event is forecast for Friday thru Sunday, so additional rise is still anticipated. You can track the reservoir water level at water.noaa.gov/gauges/MONI3 (updates about every 15 min).
Monroe Lake is fulfilling its purpose as a flood control reservoir, as we hold on this excess water to minimize impacts on downstream homes, farms, and businesses. For a virtual program about the history of how the reservoir came to be constructed, check out: https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=740025398504038
Here are the facilities at the reservoir that are currently impacted by high water, as we head into the holiday weekend...
--> The swimming beaches at Paynetown and Fairfax SRA will NOT open for Memorial Day Weekend. They are completely underwater. Beaches will remain closed through at least mid-June.
--> The main boat ramp at Cutright SRA is closed, but the high water boat ramp there is open.
--> The boat ramp at Pinegrove SRA is still open for now, but water has begun creeping over the access road. Be cautious as the water continues to rise.
--> Courtesy docks are currently only accessible at the Paynetown and Fairfax SRA boat ramps. As the water continues to rise, it is possible that these docks will also become temporarily inaccessible until staff is able to adjust their positions.
--> The boat shuttle for the Paynetown Marina is now operating out of the non-electric campground. Patrons will need to take the shuttle to access both buoys and docks, as the peninsula road is underwater.
--> Programs are still being offered! However, locations for some programs have been moved. For a full list of scheduled weekend activities, see: https://www.facebook.com/events/1509997290852280
--> The Paynetown Activity Center will remain closed until further notice, as the peninsula road is underwater.
--> Fishing piers at Paynetown and Cutright SRA are inaccessible.
--> Sections of the Tree Trek Trail at Paynetown SRA and the Osprey Trail and Homestead Trail at Fairfax SRA are currently underwater. Be aware that you may need to backtrack or reroute.
--> Road closures: McGowan Road (including access to the observation platform at Stillwater Marsh), Friendship Road (from hunter check station to Gross Road), and Stipp Road (on the east side of Cartop SRA).
Looking ahead... if the water level surpasses 550' (12' above pool), the road to Two Herons Marina at Cutright SRA will be closed; marina patrons and boat rental customers will need to contact the marina directly for alternate access instructions.
The privately-owned and operated Two Herons Marina, Lake Monroe Boat Rental, Lake Monroe Sailing Association, and Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina are all OPEN.
Please note that we do NOT manage Hardin Ridge Recreation Area or the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area / Hoosier National Forest. These are FEDERAL properties managed by the U.S. Forest Service - Hoosier National Forest. Please refer to the Forest Service for flood impacts pertaining to those properties.
IMAGE: Flooding next to the newly constructed reservoir dam in 1964. Engineers originally thought that the reservoir would take about 2 years to fill completely. It took 6 months.
