Noles1984 / Noles1984 at English Wikipedia
· Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Lake Wawasee covers 3,410 acres in Indiana and drops to 77 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Kosciusko County rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.
Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.
Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.
Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.
Idealized cross-section. Max depth 77 ft, average 25 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.
Kosciusko County rules
What a median-priced home on Lake Wawasee actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.
| Principal & interest | $22,129 |
| Property taxes | $3,675 |
| Hazard insurance | $1,470 |
| Flood insurance | $650 |
| Utilities | $2,700 |
| Maintenance reserve (1.1%) | $3,850 |
| Septic service | $520 |
| Well & water testing | $260 |
| Dock maintenance | $900 |
| Winterization / seasonal close | $750 |
| Shoreline / seawall reserve | $960 |
| Total | $37,864 |
We bought in 2005 and have never regretted it. The lake is busy on holiday weekends and quiet the rest of the time. Get a dock on the main channel if you can — the coves warm up and weed over by August.
We looked at six lakes across three states before choosing this one. Sandy bottom in the swim areas, enough marina services, and it never feels crowded outside July.
