The May meeting of the Lake Improvement Association is called to order.
– The meeting is being held at the Moose Lodge, which is also hosting a Kentucky Derby viewing party.
– The guest speaker from the fish hatchery will provide an update on its activities.
– The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
[01:26-02:02] A speaker change is announced to accommodate a tree planting event.
– Speaker 2 announced that Dave (Speaker 3) would be speaking first to accommodate his schedule, which involves a tree planting expedition with the Girl Scouts.
[02:02-02:50] The lake level and rainfall data for April are presented.
– The lake level is currently at 6.9 inches.
– Rainfall for April was 4.53 inches.
– The total rainfall year-to-date is 8.37 inches.
– This is significantly lower than previous years at the same time:
– 2024 (at this time last year): 14.46 inches
– 2023 (at this time): 12.12 inches
[02:50-03:45] A reforestation project is underway, and a call for volunteers is made.
– A project is taking place to plant 1,200 trees in an area that has not been forested for over 200 years.
– There are currently 23 volunteers, including only five Girl Scouts.
– Due to the low number of volunteers for the large number of trees, help is needed.
– Action Item: @[Meeting Attendees] – Volunteer to help plant 1,200 trees if available after the meeting.
[03:46-05:12] Details of the reforestation project and park updates are provided.
– The project involves planting a variety of native tree species:
– 200 Black Walnut
– 200 Persimmon
– 100 Shagbark Hickory
– 100 Shellbark Hickory
– 200 Bur Oak
– 200 Pin Oak
– 200 Swamp White Oak
– The area being reforested was previously managed for pheasant habitat but was too wet, making reforestation a better use of the ODNR-owned land.
– A reminder was issued that dock fees were due on May 1st.
– Plans for a new office are in progress and consuming a significant amount of the speaker’s time, but this is considered a worthwhile investment given the previous office was over 100 years old.
[05:12-06:39] A recap of the recent lake cleanup and boating safety reminders are discussed.
– The recent lake cleanup event was successful, with a typical number of participants despite taking place on a rainy Easter weekend.
– Boaters are reminded to check their registration, safety equipment, and to ensure their drain plug is installed before launching.
– The speaker notes that every year, at least one boat sinks somewhere in the state due to a forgotten drain plug.
– The Camp Store is now open, and for the first time in years, the park is fully staffed from the beginning of the year.
[06:41-07:38] The park staff is actively managing cleanup from recent weather and preparing the lake for the season.
– Staff are cleaning up debris from heavy rainfall and high winds.
– Strong west or southwest winds push water and floating debris to the east side of the lake, requiring time-consuming cleanup efforts.
– All camp staff are returning for the season.
– All buoys have been placed in the lake.
[07:38-09:03] An update on dredge operations and future plans is provided.
– The “Hodag” dredge has been pumping at the slant intake but operations were paused due to strong winds causing damage to the pipe connection, which has since been repaired.
– The “Brutus” dredge will soon take over, starting where it left off last year at the Coldwater Creek silt trap.
– The “Hodag” will be moved to the Sailboat Club to continue pumping there.
– Pending permit approval, the Hodag will also dredge several other locations:
– Windy Point boat ramp channel mouth
– The Shingle Shack channels
– Lakeshore Marina channel
– Bass Landing
– The mouth of Hidden Shores
– If time permits this year, the dredge will return to work on the campground channel and the channel leading to the park office and maintenance shop.
[09:05-10:01] The status of the Fry’s DMRA and other maintenance activities are detailed.
– The City of Celina and the Wapak Extension Agency have removed approximately 80,000 cubic yards of material from the Fry’s Dredge Material Relocation Area (DMRA).
– Celina has been using a dozer and excavator to haul dirt away by the dump truck load for about three weeks.
– The Fry’s DMRA site should be available for pumping into by the end of the year.
– Dredge crews have also been active removing trees that have fallen into the water.
– Approximately 30 trees were pulled from the Big Chick, Little Chick, Prairie Creek, and Montezuma Bay areas.
– Crews are utilized for tree removal when windy conditions prevent dredging.
[10:01-11:29] An update on DMRA construction and a Q&A session begins.
– Crews are working on the third cell at the Prairie Creek DMRA and are expected to finish within the next month and a half.
– Following that, construction will begin on a new DMRA at Cozy Marina.
– The speaker opened the floor for questions before leaving for the tree planting event.
– Question 1: A question was asked about where the material dredged from the water intake is being deposited.
– Answer: It is going into the West Bank DMRA, located between the north boat ramp and the south dog park.
– Question 2: A question was asked for the location of the tree planting for those who wish to volunteer.
– Answer: The location is the large triangular piece of grass and trees on West Bank, by the drive that goes over to the boat ramp.
[11:31-12:29] The Q&A session continues regarding the use of dredged material by the city of Celina.
– Question 3: A question was asked about where the dirt being taken by the city of Celina is going.
– Answer: Celina is stockpiling the nutrient-rich dredge material. They will use it as topsoil to backfill areas after repairing water leaks, allowing residents to more easily re-establish their yards compared to using the clay and other poor-quality soil that is dug up.
[12:32-14:28] The Q&A covers the re-establishment of docks at Harbor Point and the condition of the area.
– Question 4: A question was asked about Harbor Point.
– Answer: A letter was sent out regarding the re-allowance of dock building in a channel at Harbor Point where docks had previously been removed. We know there’s a need for them back there, so hopefully we can make more access for boating.
– Key Decision: The park will once again permit the construction of docks in the specified Harbor Point channel.
– Action Item: @[Recipients of the Harbor Point letter] – Contact the park office immediately if interested in building a dock.
– The goal is to implement the new dock program by June 1st to allow for construction.
– There is a possibility of a lottery system if interest is very high.
– The location for the new docks is not shallow; it was dredged and reinforced with rock approximately four years ago, so it is not washing away.
– A different area, further to the west, is on the docket to be dredged within the next two years.
– The primary obstacle for dredging is the availability of Dredge Material Relocation Areas (DMRAs).
– An appeal was made for landowners on the northwest side of the lake who might be willing to sell or lease property for a DMRA to contact the speaker.
[14:28-15:24] A new site is being considered for dredge material, but it will require significant and costly reconfiguration.
– The current plan is to build a new DMRA site or reclaim the old one located across from the college.
– This will require re-routing the dredge outflow, which currently comes up on the east side of the college, to a new pipe on the west side.
– The cost for this re-routing alone is estimated to be around $100,000.
– Despite the cost, it is necessary to move forward with a solution for dredge material relocation.
[15:29-15:40] A clarification of the acronym “DMRA” was provided.
– The acronym DMRA stands for “Dredge Material Relocation Area.”
[16:21-16:59] Annual dredging is critical to counteract sediment inflow and maintain the lake’s depth.
– The lake receives approximately 120,000 cubic yards of sediment annually.
– If this amount is not removed each year, the lake becomes progressively shallower.
– The goal and challenge presented to the state is to remove at least 350,000 cubic yards of sediment per year to make net progress in deepening the lake.
– This requires keeping dredges running and staffed consistently to manage sediment removal.
[16:59-17:57] A financial update was provided, highlighting the fundraising status for the West Bank shelter house project.
– The organization’s current net income is approximately $146,000.
– Significant contributions have been received for the park area on the West Bank.
– The playground portion of the park is fully paid for.
– Fundraising continues for the shelter house, with a current shortfall of approximately $6,000 to $7,000.
– An appeal was made for contributions to help close this funding gap.
[17:57-18:55] Updates were given on several ongoing projects and events, including the West Bank park, pontoon raffle, and boardwalk show.
– The West Bank shelter house construction is planned to be underway by the end of the summer, with Tri Star students assisting in the build.
– For the pontoon raffle, well over 400 of the 500 available tickets have been sold.
– Action Item: @Dylan and @Brian Miller – Consolidate all remaining raffle tickets to prevent overselling past the 500-ticket limit.
– The Boardwalk and Bike Show is scheduled for May 16th and 17th.
– The LIA will host a “fifty-foot cornhole toss” at the event.
– Any remaining pontoon raffle tickets will be sold at the show.
– The prize pontoon is available for viewing at the Boat House.
[18:55-20:22] A membership update confirmed that the recent mailing of membership cards is largely complete.
– Most members should have received their new membership cards in the mail during the past week.
– For family memberships, the cards now include the names of both the husband and wife.
– Approximately 10 additional memberships were recently received and will be mailed out in a future batch to optimize time and effort.
[20:23-21:22] An advocacy effort is underway to prevent a 45% budget cut to H2Ohio funds.
– Members are encouraged to contact their state legislators to oppose the proposed 45% reduction in H2Ohio funding within the state budget.
– A letter template is available on the organization’s website for this purpose.
– These funds are critical for wetland areas and agricultural community projects.
– Governor DeWine recently met with the agricultural community, and there is hope that this feedback will influence the final budget to preserve the funding.
[21:22-22:20] The safety island dock, a joint project with the Grand Lake Rec Club, will be repaired after sustaining tree damage.
– A tree fell on the safety island dock, causing damage.
– Cleanup has begun, and a full restoration to working order is planned.
– Action Item: @[Unspecified “The guys”] – Work with the Grand Lake Rec Club to repair the dock and remove the fallen tree.
[22:20-23:49] Progress and recent donations for the West Bank playground and shelter house project were detailed.
– The playground installation has begun, with Van Tilbert Farms and Excavating providing installation services at cost as a donation.
– Recent contributions for the shelter house project include:
– $500 grant from Midwest Electric.
– Donations from Shingle Shack and Grand Lake Rotary.
– A newly committed $1,000 donation from Wallbase Telephone.
– The Barstool Open event is scheduled for August 9th to raise further funds and engagement.
[24:01-24:34] An overview of publicly accessible wetland projects around the lake was presented.
– Numerous wetland projects around the lake feature walking paths and are open to the public.
– A new website, grandlaketrails.com, is under construction and will provide detailed information about each site.
– Action Item: @Brian Morris – Continue development of the grandlaketrails.com website.
[24:34-25:32] Updates were provided on specific wetland sites, including North Shore Green Space and Rosenbeck Nature Preserve.
– The North Shore Green Space at Wright State Lake Campus recently completed reseeding and is expected to open to the public later this year once vegetation is established.
– The Rosenbeck Nature Preserve along Fleetfoot Road has a small parking area, and a walking path will eventually be installed.
[25:32-26:55] A wetland tour and observations on the Gilliland Wetland were announced.
– A wetland tour is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th, starting at the Little Chickasaw boat ramp. The tour aims to coincide with peak wildflower bloom and will include plant identification activities.
– The Gilliland Wetland, located across from the Gilliland Nature Preserve, is showing significant wildflower growth and is recommended for a visit. The walking path is less than a half-mile long.
[26:57-27:54] The Red Wing Nature Preserve construction project is set to begin this year.
– The Red Wing Nature Preserve project was bid on April 17th.
– Key Decision: The construction contract was awarded to BTF Excavation as the lowest qualified bidder.
– Construction is scheduled to begin in summer/fall of the current year, with a planned public opening for the following year.
– The preserve is located in Ogles County, adjacent to the existing Red Wing trail at the State Park.
[27:54-28:53] Lake toxin levels are rising seasonally but remain below the historical average.
– Toxin data from the Salina Water Treatment Plant shows levels are beginning their typical seasonal increase.
– The current year’s average remains significantly lower than the historical average for this time of year.
– The toxin level for the current week was 17 parts per billion.
– It is anticipated that the levels will peak in the next two weeks before starting to decline.
[28:53-29:50] An update was given on the implementation of two-stage ditch projects in the watershed.
– Multiple two-stage ditch projects are underway in the Lake Erie watershed to the north.
– This design involves over-widening a ditch to reconnect it to its floodplain, creating benches for water overflow during high-flow events and establishing vegetated, gentler side slopes.
– Projects are planned for construction this summer just north of Salina and near Menden, with another being finished in northeast Mercer County.
[29:50-30:45] A new agricultural water filtration practice, the modified blind inlet, has been installed for the first time in Ohio.
– A “modified blind inlet,” the first of its kind in Ohio, was installed on a farm in the northern part of the county.
– This practice filters nutrients from water in concentrated flow areas (“potholes”) in fields before it enters drainage tile.
– It is “modified” because it includes metal shavings mixed with gravel, which absorb phosphorus from the water.
– The project was installed in conjunction with a Water and Sediment Control Basin (WASCOP) to slowly release water through the filter.
– This practice is well-researched in Indiana and Iowa, and it is hoped to see wider adoption in Ohio.