Grand Lake St. Marys Dredging Overview
The Opportunity:
The opportunity is to foster safe boating to protect the pubic from hazards in the waterway and to enhance the recreational experiences. Dredging will provide service to parks by protecting and maintaining state park waterways from the effects of sedimentation and other hazards that may inhibit safe navigation.
Grand Lake St. Marys is a lake with a history that revolves around the movement of soil. In 1845 soil was moved by hand and horse to create the reservoir for water supply for the Miami-Erie Canal. Since the creation of the lake, soil has been moved by wind, rain and waves into the lake as sedimentation and erosion. For decades soil has been moved out of the lake by mechanical dredges to be returned back to the land.
The dredge planning process begins with the request from the public or the managing unit. From there a site inspection / inventory are undertaken; generally, the inventory is divided into two categories; cultural resources and natural resources. The inventory of the cultural resources can identify existing elements such as history, demographics, recreational facilities, site features and other issues with respect to the project. The inventory of the natural resources can include geology, soils, topography, wetlands, flood zones, vegetation, fisheries, wildlife and scenic resources and unique environments.
This document will investigate potential areas for current dredge projects and the feasibility to plan dredge projects for the next 7-10 years. The main focus is the relocation areas, without relocation areas there cannot be dredging. The dredging will focus on the feeder tributaries (sediment traps) and main lake dredging.
Site Inventory:
The inventory is primarily gathered from site visits, depth soundings, meetings with public and park management. GIS technology and aerial photography are also used. The inventory will include the existing and proposed Dredge Material Relocation Areas (DMRA), proposed dredging areas (shallow areas) to support the DMRAs,
Dredge Material Relocation Areas (DMRA): (status)
Supporting Dredging Area: Note the listed dredging areas are a general listing and not all inclusive.
Anderson’s In-Lake DMRA: (in progress)
DMRA located on the north central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Anderson Channels, Mercer Co. Sportsman Club area,
Sandy Beach area, Kozy Marina area
Bay View DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the south central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Willow Creek area, Bayview area
Chickasaw Island DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the south eastern area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Big & Little Chickasaw Creek areas,
Blue Heron Cove, Behm’s & Duckfoot Landing
Fisher’s Island DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the north eastern area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Camp Channel Area, Service area
Freys & St. Marys Boat Club Channels
Frey’s DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the north eastern area of the lake.
Dredging Area – West Beach Boaters Access
Freys & St. Marys Boat Club Channels
Kittle Road DMRA: Existing (idle with township)
DMRA located on the south central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Prairie Creek area
Mercer Waterfowl Refuge DMRA: Proposed
DMRA located on the south western area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Cold Water Creek area, Its It area
Mercer County DMRA: Existing
DMRA located on the south western area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Beaver Creek area
Park Grand DMRA: Existing (in progress)
DMRA located on the south western area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Beaver Creek area, Kozy Camp area
Prairie Creek Island DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the south central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Prairie Creek area, Willow Creek area
Riley Bay East DMRA: Existing – leased private ground (in use)
DMRA located on the north central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Riley Bay, Northwood area & main lake
Riley Bay West DMRA: Proposed – leased private ground
DMRA located on the north central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Riley Bay & main lake
Rustic Haven DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the south eastern area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Barnes Creek area & Southmore Shores area
Service Area DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the north eastern area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Service Area, Freys & Camp Channels
St. Marys Boat Club & West Beach Boaters Access
Windy Point DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the south western area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Windy Point Channels, Bass Landings,
Montezuma Bay & Burge Creek area
West Bank DMRA: Existing (idle)
DMRA located on the western area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Cold Water Creek area & West Bank Boat Ramp area
Wright State DMRA: Proposed
DMRA located on the north central area of the lake.
Dredging Area – Riley Bay & Main Lake
Analysis:
Analysis is the comparison of facts or data. The data itself takes on greater significance when compared to other information. The fact is that Grand Lake is over 15,000 acres in size. The lake is generally shallow, with an average depth of 6-7 feet. Consequently there will always be a need for dredging in the lake. Additionally there also will be a demand for suitable land to place the sediment from the lake.
The planning for a dredging project has many processes and steps to ensure a quality, responsible project. Various Checklists and flow charts have been developed to help with the planning of a dredge project. Enclosed in the document are examples of the planning tools.
Grand Lake St. Marys has dredge relocation areas. However these areas can only be used for so long. Once the relocation areas are full new areas need to be available or material needs to be removed from the existing areas to extend their usefulness.
The park / dredge program has leased land from private individuals to use as dredge relocation areas. This practice is an additional expense and requires legal Right of Entries to protect all parties involved.
The source of the sedimentation is believed to be coming from the unprotected farms fields, run-off from hard surfaces (roads and parking lots) and stream and lake shorelines banks. Protection of these areas will reduce the amount of sedimentation coming from the watershed and into the lake.
Goals / Recommendations:
Goals:
-
Improve and develop recreation opportunities while ensuring a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all.
-
Provide a high quality, safe outdoor experience on the waters of Grand Lake St. Marys.
-
Promote education and interaction with the public about the benefit of the dredging program.
-
Recognize, enhance and protect the historic heritage of the canal lake.
Recommendations:
-
Continue planning & maintenance on the existing Dredge Material Relocations Areas to keep them viable for the future.
-
Continue the development of successful partnerships with regional and local interests groups to develop beneficial use of dredge material from the existing relocation areas.
-
Locate and purchase opportune land holdings that can be developed into dredge relocation areas.
-
Develop partnerships with local land owners to lease property to develop into dredge relocation areas.
-
Appropriate governmental agencies should continue to take necessary actions to improve water quality in the Grand Lake region.
Current and Proposed Dredging Schedule:
Riley Bay East DMRA: 2010 – 2012
Dredging Area – Riley Bay – Main Lake
Park Grand DMRA: 2011 – 2014
Dredging Area – Beaver Creek Area, Montezuma Bay & Kozy Kamp Channel
West Bank DMRA: 2011 – 2014, Statewide Dredge – Eagle
Dredging Area – Cold Water Creek area & Main Lake
Riley Bay West DMRA: Proposed 2011 – 2013
Dredging Area – Riley Bay & Main Lake
Anderson’s In-Lake DMRA: Proposed 2014 – 2017
Dredging Area – Anderson Channels, Mercer Co. Sportsman Club Area
Prairie Creek Island DMRA: Proposed 2017 – 2019
Dredging Area – Prairie Creek Area
Chickasaw Island DMRA: Proposed 2017 – 2019
Dredging Area – Chickasaw Creek Areas, Blue Heron Cove, Behm’s & Duckfoot Landing
Conclusion: Dredging is challenging, but finding a location to put the relocated sediment material is the biggest challenge!