The LIA extends a special thank you to the following individuals who contributed to our year in review – and for all their efforts to improve and promote Grand Lake St. Marys:
Courtesy Dr. Stephen Jacquemin
Lake conditions relative to algal biomass and microcystin toxins continued to be low this year compared to historical averages.
2024 seasonal total microcystin toxin averages were:
Seasonal averages were all below the World Health Organization threshold for recreation (note that some individual weeks did exceed this benchmark).
2024 was a low flow year with the exception of April. The majority of stream flows were down well over 50% from historical discharge averages. Extending discharge to load – this meant that much of 2024 experienced lower than average loading (we saw similar things in 2023). Long term analyses to update watershed level findings are continuing to carry over from 2024 and into 2025.
Around 100+ acres of wetland restoration have been undertaken each year for the past several years – 2024 continues this trend with such new wetlands as the Northshore Greenspace ‘Campus’ Wetlands and Southwest Greenspace Wetlands being completed this year with numerous plans to continue wetland habitat restoration projects in and around the watershed for next year.
Wetland monitoring data continued to demonstrate that the GLSM wetlands are a sink for nutrients and sediment with up to 90+% nutrient/sediment concentration reductions compared to in stream concentrations during many weeks of the year.
In all, a total of approximately 625 million gallons of water was treated this year as a result of Prairie Creek (~6% total stream flow treated as of November), Coldwater Creek (~15% total stream flow treated as of November), Beaver Creek (3% total stream flow treated as of November), and the newly operational Big Chickasaw Creek (2% stream flow treated as of November) reconstructed wetlands.
Courtesy Theresa Dirksen
Phase 3 Wetlands at Mercer Wildlife Area were constructed in May and June of 2024. This project included the construction of 11 new acres of wetlands as well as the establishment of 4.0 acres of shoreline mudflat. A 10-acre wetland is located in the middle of the Wildlife Area, and a 1.0-acre wetland is located on the south side of State Route 703. This project also included the addition of a second pump station near It’s It Restaurant. Water is pumped from both lift stations to fill the wetlands on the north side of State Route 703. Surface water runoff and water pumped from wells is used to fill the wetlands located on the south side of State Route 703.
All parts of this project (Phases 1-3) were made possible by H2Ohio funds through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Photo taken July 30, 2024).
Known as the former “Southbay Motel,” this property was acquired by the GLSM Lake Facilities Authority in 2020. In May and June of 2024, the site was developed into a new treatment wetland system. Water is pumped from a new lift station installed on Monroe Creek into a 1.0-acre settling basin and then flows over into a 3.0-acre wetland. The site was seeded to native cool-season grasses with wildflowers and wetland vegetation. Signage and a walking path will be added in 2025 or once the vegetation is well-established.
The land was acquired utilizing the Clean Ohio Greenspace fund and the construction was funded by the H2Ohio program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Photo taken July 30, 2024).
Construction of the Big Chickasaw Creek treatment wetlands and the Little Chickasaw Creek stream restoration and wetlands began in early November 2023. All seeding and tree planting will be completed by the end of 2024.
Water is pumped from Big Chickasaw Creek through a new pump station and forcemain to the Big Chickasaw wetlands. Little Chickasaw Creek has been diverted into the new stream restoration and wetlands area. The large observation mound and a future walking path will be available from the Little Chickasaw boat ramp for public access in summer 2025 or once the grasses are well-established.
Nearly 24 acres has been seeded to a variety of native grasses and wildflowers, 3,200 wetland plant plugs were planted in the late spring of 2024, and nearly 1,000 new native trees were planted in the fall of 2024. This project is made possible through State Capital improvement funds and Ohio EPA Section 319 funds. (Photo taken October 29, 2024).
This 8.831-acre property was acquired by the Lake Facilities Authority in September 2023 utilizing the Clean Ohio Greenspace fund. The property sits adjacent to Coldwater Creek near the intersection of Fleetfoot Road and State Route 219. In August of 2024, VTF Excavation, LLC began earthwork to create a 1.0-acre wetland on the property. Surface and tile cropland drainage has been directed into the wetland for treatment. Forty oak and hickory trees have been planted on-site and the remainder of the site has been seeded to native cool-season grasses, wildflowers and wetland vegetation. Signage and a walking path will be added in 2025 or once the vegetation is well-established.
The construction of this project was funded by the H2Ohio program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Photo taken November 13, 2024).
This 10-acre property was acquired by the Lake Facilities Authority in February 2024 utilizing the Clean Ohio Greenspace fund. The property sits directly on the north shore of Grand Lake St. Marys adjacent to Wright State University Lake Campus. In August of 2024, VTF Excavation, LLC began earthwork to create 4.0 acres of wetlands on the property. Surface and tile cropland drainage as well as the majority of campus drainage has been directed into the wetland for treatment. The site has been seeded to native cool-season grasses, wildflowers and wetland vegetation. Signage and a walking path will be added in 2025 or once the vegetation is well-established.
The construction of this project was funded by the H2Ohio program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Photo taken November 12, 2024 by Dr. Stephen Jacquemin).
2025 will bring several new projects. There are a few pending grant requests for construction of new wetlands and for future land acquisition. More information will be forthcoming as it is received.
The Lake Restoration Commission (LRC) will continue to fund the monitoring of the treatment wetlands throughout the watershed via an agreement with Wright State University-Lake Campus. The LRC also spent over $38,000 this year on maintenance and repair of pumps at the existing treatment wetlands.
Courtesy Tom Grabow & David Faler
The dredging program removed 207,407 cubic yards of sediment from Grand Lake St. Marys in 2024. On average, approximately 120,000 cubic yards are deposited into the lake annually, so the dredging program outpaced that figure this year.
Courtesy Matt Staugler & Jared Ebbing
The year 2024 represented a continuation of positive and successful development in the region as a result of a successful and vibrant lake. Continued investment in downtown Celina and along the lake is the sign of a healthy lake-influenced economy that we anticipate continuing into 2025.
2024 Tourism Economics Report from the State Tourism Office:
Just as counties consider sales tax a barometer of economic growth, we use lodging tax growth to partly gauge how successful a year has been:
In addition, the Grand Lake Region Visitors Center earned over 1.5 million impressions on social media.
Courtesy Brad Fisher, Grand Lake Recreation Club & Lake Improvement Association
Together with multiple community partners, the LIA funded a playground for the West Bank, then partnered with the Grand Lake Recreation Club on a shelter house to be installed alongside the playground adjacent to the ADA dock. Installation planned for 2025.
The LIA received a grant from the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities to purchase an All Abilities Playground to be installed adjacent to the first shelter house on the East Bank. The LIA also helped fund the playground, which is expected to be installed in 2025.
The Grand Lake Recreation Club and LIA partnered to rebuild the north dock on Safety Island and add a floating dock. The dock will be able to accommodate two boats.
At the state park’s request, the LIA purchased a heavy duty grill for Sunset Beach.
The LIA purchased concrete cornhole boards for Sunset Beach. The boards will arrive in 2025.
The LIA voted to fund two Eagle Scout projects: dock clean-up near the Boat Club and an ADA kayak launch, location TBD.
Distributed over 20,000 lake maps
Public meetings held monthly
Website, social media, email newsletter & Grand Lake app
Entertaining & informative presentations on Grand Lake fishing, eagles, pelicans, postcards & Gordon State Park
Courtesy Brad Fisher, Grand Lake Recreation Club & Lake Improvement Association
More than 400 children, teachers, drivers, state park representatives, and volunteers converged at the East Bank Fishing Pond for this year’s event for developmentally disabled children in the Grand Lake region.
The LIA’s annual winter dance continued to be one of our biggest annual fundraisers for Grand Lake improvement efforts. Be sure to get tickets to see the Naked Karate Girls at the 2025 Winter Icebreaker!
Our biggest annual fundraiser was another roaring success with over 200 teams and 800+ participants. Thank you to all the volunteers who make this event a success!
The LIA also had booths to promote lake improvement efforts and support local lake-related events.
The Grand Lake Recreation Club held another successful Bicycle Poker Run in 2024.
The Grand Lake Recreation Club welcomed everyone to a fun day of music at Boater’s Beach for the July 4 festivities.
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