Morse Reservoir
| Morse Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| [mapframe not available on SimWiki] Interactive map of Morse Reservoir | |
| Location | Hamilton County, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 40°06′11″N 86°02′24″W / 40.103°N 86.04°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Little Cicero Creek | |
| Cicero Creek | |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 6.5 mi (10.5 km) |
Surface area | 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) |
| Settlements | Cicero |
Morse Reservoir is a large reservoir located in northwestern Hamilton County, Indiana. The reservoir is owned and operated by Citizens Energy Group, a corporation formerly known as the Indianapolis Water Company, which created the lake in 1956.[1][2] The reservoir serves both as a significant source of drinking water and of recreation and flood control for nearby areas.[3] It is primarily located within the town of Cicero, which itself is situated on the lakefront of Morse. The area around Morse has seen significant residential development in recent years.
Geography
Morse Reservoir is located 3.2 mi (5.1 km) from the city of Noblesville, and 22 mi (35 km) from the city of Indianapolis. The reservoir has a surface area of 1,500 acres (610 ha), a length of around 6.5 mi (10.5 km), and a shoreline length of approximately 32.5 mi (52.3 km).[4] The land surrounding Morse Reservoir is primarily agricultural, however there are also a significant amount of homes located on the shoreline of Morse.[5][3] The reservoir feeds two treatment plants designed for water collection, as well as the feed of the larger White River to the east of the reservoir.[6]
There are two parks located on the shoreline of Morse Reservoir, those being the Red Bridge Park and the Morse Park and Beach.[5]
History
Morse Reservoir began operation in March 1956 as part of plan to create a large water source for the Indianapolis metropolitan area to the south.[2][7] The reservoir was created by the Indianapolis Water Company and the reservoir was named after Howard S. Morse, the company's former CEO who had, at the time of the reservoir's creation, had been associated with the company since 1925.[8] The creation of the reservoir was performed through the damming of Cicero Creek via an earthfill dam.[3] It was the third major reservoir constructed to serve the Indianapolis metropolitan area.[6]
The construction of Morse Reservoir altered the development of the nearby town of Cicero, which saw the destruction of several structures including a bridge in order to facilitate the creation of Morse. However, the reservoir's construction also led to further development and growth in the town, which has since quintupled in population since the reservoir was completed.[1][9] In the 1970s, the Indianapolis Water Company constructed a real estate project along the reservoir which spurred further growth in the region.[5] Because the reservoir is designed to serve communities downstream of the reservoir, the city of Cicero cannot utilize the water from Morse for drinking purposes.[1]
In 2005, the Morse Waterways Association was established with the goal of maintaining the reservoir.[5] In recent years, the reservoir has begun to experience significant blooms of cyanobacteria.[7] The reservoir has also been increasingly affected by droughts, with several in recent years causing water levels at the reservoir to drop considerably.[6][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bradley, Daniel (28 July 2023). "Cicero needs new water source despite adjacent reservoir". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Morse Reservoir Aerial". Indiana Historical Society. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Boldt, Justin A.; Martin, Zachary W. (2020). "Bathymetric Surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in Central Indiana made with a Multibeam Echosounder, 2016, and Comparison with Previous Surveys". United States Geological Survey. Scientific Investigations Report: 29. Bibcode:2020usgs.rept...29B. doi:10.3133/sir20205067. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ Wilson, John T.; Morlock, Scott E.; Baker, Nancy T. (1997). "Bathymetric Surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in Central Indiana Made with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler and Global Positioning System Technology, 1996". United States Geological Survey. 49: 2–4. Bibcode:1997usgs.rept..187W. doi:10.3133/wri974099. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Fischer, Jessica (8 May 2021). "Morse Reservoir". The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Pence, Nicole (10 July 2012). "Central Indiana reservoir levels dropping". WTHR. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Song, Kaishan; Li, Lin; Tedesco, Leonore P.; Li, Shuai; Clercin, Nicolas A.; Hall, Bob E.; Li, Zuchuan; Shi, Kun (2012). "Hyperspectral determination of eutrophication for a water supply source via genetic algorithm–partial least squares (GA–PLS) modeling". Science of the Total Environment. 426: 220–232. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.058. PMID 22521166. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ Morse, Daniel P. (September 1957). "Recreational Use in Indianapolis". Journal (American Water Works Association). 49 (9): 1160–1168. JSTOR 41255774. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Town History". City of Cicero. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Indiana residents asked to cut back on water use". Deseret News. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2026.