The Versailles State Park is the second largest state park in Indiana offering attractions such as fishing, hiking trails, kayaking, and camping sites. Within the park is the 230-acre Versailles Lake used for recreation as well as a source for the community's drinking water needs. The proposal to expand the lake to a reservoir would nearly quadruple the volume of water at an estimated $40 million. The expansion would increase the quality of drinking water which has been a problem due to seasonal changes resulting in drought or flooding. The task force would examine the present and future use of Versailles Lake by determining whether the lake would meet the demand for the public water supply, the feasibility of increasing the volume of water, the potential for more recreational activities, and the availability of funding to pay for the task force's recommendations. "Expanding the Versailles Lake would be an incredible improvement to the surrounding region," said author Rep. Randy Frye. "Developing the lake into a reservoir will spur economic growth and job opportunities by incentivizing commercial and residential development." This legislation has the potential to drastically change the landscape of the Versailles Lake and the surrounding park in a positive manner. Locally, the economic development has been profound for Brookville Reservoir, who hosts numerous businesses and aquatic activities. |
