Williams Dam campground to close

Indiana DNR Release:

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife has announced plans to phase out a small campground that is part of the Williams Dam Public Fishing Area southwest of Bedford in Lawrence County.

Camping will no longer be allowed beginning in March.

However, the 37-acre fishing area, fishing platform, and two boat ramps that provide free public access to the White River will remain open but without staff on site after June 2010. Only the 30-unit campground and a handful of buildings associated with the campground are being removed.

Williams Dam is one of 29 state-managed public fishing areas across Indiana and the only one with a campground and on-site staff. Future management will be consistent with management at other public fishing areas which involves mowing and trash pick up. Law Enforcement will continue patrolling the area.

The planned closure of the campground is based on several factors, including:

– Rising costs to operate a facility that generates little revenue;
– Staffing changes;
– Non-compliance with State Department of Health sanitary regulations.

The campground lacks a sanitary dumping station required by the State Department of Health, and installing one could cost as much as $40,000.