Indiana mayors seek scenic designation for Eel River

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (AP) - Three northern Indiana mayors are asking a state agency to declare a river that runs through their cities one of Indiana's official scenic rivers.

Mayors Scott Long of Wabash, Gabriel Greer of Peru and Dave Kitchell of Logansport want the state's Department of Natural Resources to give the Eel River the "Indiana Scenic River" designation.

They say that if the 110-mile tributary of the Wabash River wins the designation it would boost tourism in their communities.

The Eel River boasts four state-recommended canoe routes. The DNR says the river offers "very good" fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish and other fish and is frequented by great blue herons and kingfishers.

Indiana's three current scenic rivers are northeastern Indiana's Cedar Creek, southern Indiana's Blue River and north-central Indiana's Wildcat Creek.