MONTICELLO, Ind. (AP) _ Boaters on a northwestern Indiana reservoir are facing more dangers with lower water levels.

The state Department of Natural Resources says Lake Freeman near Monticello (mahn-tuh-SEL'-oh) has fallen below its normal level because of low rainfall in the area recently.

Gary Creigh of Tall Timbers Marina tells WLFI-TV that some people haven't been able to get their boats into the water off lifts. He says other boaters aren't going out because of the greater danger from tree stumps and other below-water hazards.

The dam on the lake about 20 miles north of Lafayette is operated by Northern Indiana Public Service Co. Utility spokesman Nick Meyer tells the Herald Journal that water flow has to be maintained to protect beds of endangered mussels in the Tippecanoe River.