"The city of Elkhart has its own problems with flooding and sedimentation," Moore wrote in a memo to the council, "and certainly does not need to have these conditions exacerbated."

The council unanimously passed the resolution, 7-0 (Council members Mary Olson and Ron Troyer were absent).

Councilman David Henke, R-3rd, said he strongly supported the non-binding action, but also suggested the city do more to voice its strong disapproval of the plan.

"It needs to be very loud, very vocal and very straightforward," he said. "They need to find another way to mitigate their flooding issues."

Noble County officials insist the adjustments to the north and middle branches of the river there would not affect Elkhart.

But Henke said flooding concerns in Elkhart are too great and too potentially dangerous to risk such alterations.

"The river is one of our greatest assets," Henke said. "And one of our greatest risks."