Lake Shelbyville - The US Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is reporting rising lake levels due to recent rainfall. The pool elevation on Thursday, November 19 is 609.60 feet above sea level. The normal pool level is 599.70. The discharge rate is 560 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of Thursday morning. Lake Shelbyville is expected to reach a pool elevation of less than 612.00 feet above sea level on or around November 22, 2009.

The high water has impacted some sites around the lake. All high water boat ramps are open at this time. High water boat ramps are located in Bo Wood, Dam West, Lithia Springs, Lone Point, Opossum Creek, Wilborn Creek, Eagle Creek State Park, and Wolf Creek State Park. Coon Creek and Whitley Creek are the only primary recreation areas with all boat ramps closed due to high water.

All secondary boat ramps are closed. This includes Coal Shaft Bridge, Sand Cove Road, Johnson's Bluff and Bruce West.

The Illini Backpacking Trail, which runs from Lone Point Recreation Area to Eagle Creek State Park, Coon Creek Trail, and Okaw Bluff Trail are all closed. Hikers can still use the Camp Camfield Trail and the General Dacey Trail.

If you are out boating on the lake you are strongly cautioned to watch for floating debris and submerged hazards on the lake.

As the water at Lake Shelbyville continues to remain above normal levels, visitors should be aware that more areas might be temporarily impacted. Call ahead for information before coming to the lake. Information will be available on the Lake Shelbyville Information Line at 217-774-2020 or contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at 217-774-3951. Revised news releases will be issued as lake conditions change.