Volunteers clean up flood debris at Fishers nature preserve

LarryInFishers.com
(L-R) organizers Gerke, Becky McNichols, Philip Weldy and Marissa Deckert.

More than 25 volunteers gathered Sunday, Oct. 11, to clear flood debris from the Nonie Werbe Krauss Nature Preserve, a 77-acre property along the White River that organizers say helped shield parts of Fishers from flooding nearly eight weeks ago.

According to organizers, the preserve absorbed about 150 million gallons of floodwater, acting as a natural sponge that slowed the river. They credit the property with protecting 116th Street, the Eller Road corridor and Riverside School, and with limiting flooding at Heritage Park, Carmel’s Hazel Landing and White River Park.

Organizers attribute that protection to the late Van Eller, a farmer and conservationist who decades ago planted native trees on his White River farm and worked with the Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI) to preserve the last of his family’s land.

While the native vegetation held back the water, the receding river left behind a large amount of trash carried downstream. Volunteers from across Central Indiana turned out Sunday to remove it.

Organizers credited Fishers Parks Director Marissa Deckert with coordinating the multi-agency effort, saying the cleanup would not have happened without her.

Heavy debris removal on site was led by Assistant Parks Director Jason King, CILTI volunteer steward John Bauer and CILTI land managers Philip Weldy and Max Gerke, with volunteers handling the rest.

Several agencies supported the work:

  • Fishers Parks managed logistics, supplied large utility vehicles and haul wagons, and provided protective equipment to guard volunteers against mold.
  • Hamilton County Tourism provided food, snacks and drinks.
  • Hamilton County Emergency Management handled the initial removal of hazardous debris and the final pickup and disposal of everything volunteers collected.

Fishers City Councilor Bill Stuart joined CILTI and Fishers Parks in the initial damage assessment and brought the concerns to City Hall. Organizers also thanked Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt for helping clear the way for the city-county partnership.

“Water is powerful, but the hearts of people can overcome,” said volunteer steward Becky McNichols. “It always warms my heart to see so many people come together and help.”

The preserve is open to the public. To protect wildlife, pollinators and birds, visitors are limited to foot traffic only — no bicycles — and dogs must be kept on a leash.