Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman Centennial Celebration on July 8

Water running through a dam at a hydroelectric plant

Monticello, Indiana’s Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman—two of the leading tourism attractions in Indiana—are commemorating 100 years with a community-wide celebration on July 8, 2023. NIPSCO is partnering with the Shafer & Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC) to mark the 100-year anniversary. This milestone further commemorates NIPSCO’s Norway Hydro Electric Dam and Oakdale Hydro Electric Dam that were built on the Tippecanoe River and led to the establishment of the lakes.

“NIPSCO is proud to be a member of the Monticello community, and to mark a century of successfully operating the Hydro and Oakdale Dams to maintain lake levels and generate electricity,” said Josh Russell, NIPSCO Hydro Supervisor.

History of the Dams

Both the Norway and Oakdale dams were purchased by NIPSCO in 1944 and were created to generate hydroelectric power—a source of renewable energy that uses the natural flow of water to generate electricity. Prior to 1944, NIPSCO leased the dams for eleven years. Construction on the Norway Hydro Electric Plant, that created Lake Shafer, began in 1922 and went into service in June 1923. The following year, construction on the Oakdale Hydro Electric Plant began and went into service in November 1925 leading to the creation of Lake Freeman.

They are “Run of the River” dams, which means that water flowing through the dams downstream is matched as close as possible to the water flow coming into the dams from upstream. The facilities are managed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and are operated with a low flow provision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFW).

“The SFLECC is looking forward to partnering with NIPSCO in celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Norway Dam,” said Gabrielle Haygood, SFLECC Executive Director. “Many things have changed over the last 100 years, but one thing that has remained the same is the importance of Norway and Oakdale Dams. For the past 100 years, the Dams have done more for this community than hold back water to make electricity or provide a place for people to escape for rest. They have provided income for people to live, revenue to maintain and beautify the area, and countless hours of entertainment and priceless memories never to be forgotten. Please join us in this remarkable celebration!”

Centennial Celebration

On July 8, NIPSCO and the SFLECC will host a centennial celebration to educate area residents further about the dams, provide safety information and observe the century of recreation, tourism and attractions that the lakes have generated. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST at the Norway Dam at 279 W Turbine Ct. in Monticello, Ind., and will include:

Guided tours and educational presentations of the hydro dams
NIPSCO’s Picarro Leak Detection Vehicle
NIPSCO’s Emergency Mobile Command Center
Carroll County and White County Emergency Mobile Command Centers
Door Prizes including NIPSCO Energy Gift Certificates
First responder vehicles and Monticello Police Canine Demo
White County Sheriff Child ID Fingerprinting
Monticello Fire Department Dive Boat and Rescue Vehicle
Children Games
Antique Boat Display

Emergency Information

Have an emergency?

Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman Centennial Celebration on July 8

Emergency Information

Have an emergency?

Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman Centennial Celebration on July 8

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