by Associated Press <\/p>\n
WHAS11.com <\/p>\n
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:45 PM <\/p>\n
Updated yesterday at 9:01 PM <\/p>\n
BIRDSEYE, Ind. (AP) -- Four Indiana beaches have been closed this summer by DNA officials due to drought conditions. <\/p>\n
The state Department of Natural Resources closed the beach at Patoka Lake Reservoir in southern Indiana Friday because of low water levels, the fourth beach closure by the agency caused by the drought. <\/p>\n
The state earlier closed beaches at Salamonie Lake, 30 miles southwest of Fort Wayne, Mississinwea Lake near Peru, and Raccoon Lake near Rockville. Agency spokesman Phil Bloom says all four lakes are flood control reservoirs controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. <\/p>\n
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday at least 80 percent of Indiana is suffering at least a moderate drought and the state's southwestern corner has extreme drought conditions. <\/p>\n
The dry conditions have led more than half of Indiana's 92 counties to implement open burning bans. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See the rest here:<\/p>\n
Drought conditions force closure of 4 Ind. beaches<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Associated Press WHAS11.com Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:45 PM Updated yesterday at 9:01 PM BIRDSEYE, Ind. Continue reading