The Lake Improvement Association held its September Meeting on Saturday September 6th. Those in attendance learned.all about the snakes of Grand Lake with Herpetologist Doug Wynn. There were also reports with Grand Lake St Marys State Park Manager Dave Faler and Dr. Stephen Jacquemin from the Wright State Lake Campus.To view the meeting:

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The following is an AI Generated Summary:

Community event updates, financial report, fundraising outcomes, upcoming activities, and park status

• Opening Remarks and Pledge of Allegiance

  The meeting opened with a lighthearted comment about gunshots being from goose hunters, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Financial Report

  A summary of the organization's finances was provided, including current balances, recent fundraising income and expenses, and confirmation that all bills are paid.

• Barstool Open Fundraiser

  The Barstool Open fundraiser was highlighted as a major event with over 240 teams, record participation, and significant net proceeds.

• Trevor Mobley Memorial Fundraiser

  Announcement of the 5th annual Trevor Mobley Memorial Fundraiser, including event details and its impact on lake safety.

• Playground Projects

  Updates on playground projects at West Bank and East Bank, including donations, construction timelines, and community impact.

• Kids Fishing Derby

  Details for the upcoming Kids Fishing Derby, including schedule, volunteer needs, and last year's participation.

• Scholarships

  Three $1,000 scholarships awarded to students attending Wright State University, with their career goals outlined.

• Grand Lake Trails Website

  Introduction of a new trails website and plans to install six signs with QR codes for public access.

• Reagan Day Dinner Participation

  Announcement that the organization will attend the Reagan Day dinner with Vivek Ramaswamy in St. Henry to promote lake improvement.

• Otterbein Olympics

  Otterbein Olympics scheduled for 2025-09-23, seeking volunteers for pontoon boat rides for residents.

• State Park Updates

  Lake level, rainfall, campground occupancy, and festival updates provided by Dave Faler.

Conclusion

1. Checkbook balance is $67,884.95; St. Mary's Community Foundation holds $7,837; Barstool Open income was $28,500 with expenses just under $7,000; all bills are paid.

2. Largest Barstool Open ever with 240+ teams; net proceeds contributed significantly to the organization.

3. Event scheduled for 2025-09-06 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Moose; supports lighted buoys and other lake safety initiatives.

4. West Bank shelter to arrive in a couple of weeks; TriStar vocational school to construct; $1,000 donation received from Amphicar rides; All Abilities Playground on East Bank delayed to next year.

5. Event set for 2025-09-10 at East Bank Pond; setup at 8:00 AM, kids arrive at 9:45 AM, ends at 2:30 PM; four kids participated last year; volunteers needed.

6. Scholarships awarded to Corey Agler (medicine), Luke Hiley (agronomy), and Jenna Vagadis (environmental conservation).

7. Website grandlaketrails.com launched; six signs with QR codes to be installed.

8. Officers to attend on 2025-09-09, wearing blue shirts to represent the organization.

9. Event on 2025-09-23; last year had four boats and 220 rides; more volunteers and boats needed.

10. Lake level at -5.9 inches; 20.65 inches of rain YTD; August rain was 0.45 inches; 12 bass tournament applications for 2026; campgrounds full for 17 weeks; Fall Festival ongoing with 598 vehicles counted 2025-09-05 evening; VIPs Camp Halloween Campout on 2025-10-03 to 2025-10-05; Walk with Nature on 2025-10-19.

2. Lake and watershed management: wetland operations, water quality, sediment control, and habitat projects.

• Osprey Nest Blocks and Bird Habitats

  Discussion about the installation and usage of osprey nest blocks at the lake, including past attempts and observations of osprey nesting behavior.

• Wetlands Operations and Water Quality

  Update on the operational status of wetlands, current pumping rates, and water movement at various creeks (Prairie Creek, Beaver Creek, Big Chickasaw, Coldwater Creek). Discussion of nutrient reduction efficiency and seasonal changes.

• Wetland Construction Projects

  Announcement of new wetland construction at Red Wing Nature Preserve, including its location, features, and timeline.

• Long-term Data Publication

  Report on the publication of the long-term Beaver Creek wetland data set in the journal Wetlands Ecology and Management.

• Microcystin Toxin Levels and Water Quality Trends

  Review of microcystin toxin levels for the year, comparison to long-term averages, and interpretation of weekly data trends.

• Sunset Beach/West Beach Water Quality Projects

  Discussion of experimental water quality treatments at Sunset Beach (West Beach), including chemical and aeration methods, and their effectiveness and longevity.

• Dredging Operations and Sediment Management

  Questions and answers regarding dredging operations, sediment removal volumes, and the effectiveness of the dredging program in keeping up with sediment inflow.

• Channel Silt Measurement Methods

  Explanation of how silt depth is measured in channels using Doppler depth finders or manual methods, and the use of technology for accurate measurements.

Conclusion

1. Osprey nest blocks have been installed in the past but have not been used by ospreys; no further action or new plan was specified.

2. Wetlands are operating at peak efficiency, with Prairie Creek moving over a million gallons/day, Beaver Creek about half a million, Big Chickasaw about three-quarters million, and Coldwater Creek between three and a half and five million gallons/day. Nutrient reduction is currently between 25% and 50%. Pump rates will be halved in a couple of weeks as the season progresses.

3. Construction at Red Wing Nature Preserve began a few days before September 6, 2025, and is expected to be completed and operational by spring 2026.

4. The Beaver Creek long-term data set is now published and freely available for public access.

5. Microcystin levels for 2025 are below the long-term average for week 35, with only three or four weeks touching the average line. The trend is positive, with continued improvement year over year.

6. All tested treatments (alum, lanthanum clay, algaecides, aeration) provided only short-term improvements (one to two weeks). Long-term improvements require addressing nutrient sources in the watershed.

7. There are two operational dredges (Brutus and HODAG). In some years, dredging has removed more sediment than entered the lake; in low-flow years like 2025, dredging may have captured all incoming sediment.

8. Doppler radar units and manual measurements are used to determine silt depth and calculate sediment volumes in channels.

3. Grand Lake debris management and snake ecology education

• Debris Issues at Grand Lake

  Discussion about debris, including stumps and rocks, particularly at the south end of Grand Lake, and the role of the Grand Lake Rec Club and DNR in debris removal. Mention of $14,000 spent on repairs due to debris.

• Community and Organizational Involvement

  Recognition of the Grand Lake Rec Club's efforts in debris removal and the importance of community participation. The club uses a boat called 'log dog' for debris removal.

• Watershed Investment Verification

  Acknowledgement of Dr. J. and Teresa Dirksen's work in verifying the impact of millions of dollars invested in the watershed.

• Introduction of Doug Wynn and His Credentials

  Doug Wynn, a retired high school ecology teacher, has received over 250 grants and contracts, multiple awards from the Ohio Division of Parks and Wildlife, and has co-authored several books on Ohio reptiles.

• Snake Species at Grand Lake

  Doug Wynn identified six snake species documented in Auglaize and Mercer counties, including eastern garter snake, DeKay's brown snake, northern water snake, queen snake, gray rat snake, and Kirtland's snake. Details on their habits, sizes, and unique characteristics were provided.

• Snake Musk and Defense Mechanisms

  Explanation of snake musk production, its purpose, and anecdotes about its potency. Timber rattlesnakes can direct musk from their cloaca toward their head.

• Snake-Human and Snake-Animal Interactions

  Stories about interactions between snakes and humans (e.g., snake bites, handling) and between snakes and other animals (e.g., a rat snake and a red-tailed hawk).

• Research and Conservation Efforts

  Doug Wynn's ongoing research, funded annually by the Division of Wildlife since 1988 and contracted through July 2026, focuses on endangered and threatened snake species, including timber rattlesnakes and Kirtland's snake.

Conclusion

1. Community members are encouraged to flag debris with reflective markers and notify the Grand Lake Rec Club or DNR for removal. If unable to flag, take a GPS point and report it.

2. The Grand Lake Rec Club and DNR provide free services for debris removal, but community reporting is essential for effectiveness.

3. Their verification work is invaluable in ensuring the effectiveness of watershed investments.

4. Doug Wynn is recognized as a leading expert on Ohio snakes and reptiles, with extensive research and educational contributions.

5. These six species are the most likely to be encountered at Grand Lake, with specific notes on their behavior, reproduction, and conservation status.

6. Snake musk is produced by glands near the cloaca and is used as a defense mechanism.

7. Such interactions provide educational insights into snake behavior and their role in the ecosystem.

8. Research and conservation efforts are ongoing, with continued support from the Division of Wildlife.

4. Snake species identification, behavior, and conservation in Ohio

• Black Water Snake (Northern Water Snake) Safety

  Discussion on whether there are concerns beyond avoidance regarding black water snakes, their behavior, and handling tips if encountered in clothing or boats.

• Diet of Water Snakes

  Clarification on what water snakes feed on.

• Cottonmouth Presence in Ohio

  Inquiry about the presence of cottonmouth snakes in Ohio and historical records.

• Blue Racer and Black Racer Snakes

  Explanation of the blue racer and black racer snake species, their distribution in Ohio, and their territorial behavior.

• Snake Bite Treatment and Personal Experience

  Discussion on treating snake bites, including personal anecdotes about being bitten by a python.

• Status of Eastern Massasauga in Ohio

  Update on the conservation status and population trends of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake in Ohio.

• Habitat Loss and Massasauga Decline

  Explanation of how habitat changes, such as canopy growth, have led to the decline of Massasauga populations.

• Current Massasauga Fieldwork

  Report on recent fieldwork with Massasaugas, including numbers found and ongoing monitoring.

• Historical Rattlesnake Distribution in Ohio

  Reference to research on historical rattlesnake presence in Ohio counties.

• Rattlesnake Presence at Huffman Dam and Wright-Patt

  Discussion about rattlesnake presence and disappearance at Huffman Dam near Wright-Patt Air Force Base, and the impact of hogs.

• Dog Training for Snake Detection

  Mention of using an electronic collar to train a dog for snake detection and obtaining state permission for this activity.

Conclusion

1. Northern water snakes are not venomous. If encountered, especially in clothing or boats, use a bag or jacket to safely remove them. Their bites may involve chewing but are not dangerous.

2. Water snakes primarily eat fish, but also consume frogs and amphibians.

3. Only one cottonmouth has ever been found in Ohio, in Gallia County, in either 1991 or 1992. It arrived via barge from the south and was killed upon discovery.

4. Blue racers are found near Lake Erie and Toledo, turning black further south. Intergrades exist in between. Males may act defensively in spring, sometimes charging at people.

5. Soap and water are recommended for cleaning bites. Personal experience included a python bite where a tooth abscessed and was expelled from the skin.

6. Eastern Massasauga is endangered in Ohio. Historically found in at least 20 counties, populations have declined. In 2024 and 2025, three pregnant females were reintroduced to Cedar Bog, Champaign County, marking the first Division of Wildlife rattlesnake release on a property.

7. Loss of open, grassy, sunny areas due to canopy growth has caused Massasauga declines in several Ohio areas.

8. On 2025-09-05, three Massasaugas were found: one unsexed, one newborn, and one possibly unable to give birth. The speaker typically finds about 100 Massasaugas and 5–10 timber rattlesnakes annually.

9. Research by Tom Beauvais indicates rattlesnakes were present in almost every Ohio county in the 1800s.

10. Rattlesnakes were present but disappeared, likely due to hog predation, as confirmed by local historical records.

11. State permission was granted 16 years ago for training a dog to find snakes in wildlife areas.

Next Arrangements

• Trevor Mobley Memorial Fundraiser on 2025-09-06 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Moose.

• Kids Fishing Derby on 2025-09-10 at East Bank Pond, setup at 8:00 AM, kids arrive at 9:45 AM, ends at 2:30 PM.

• Reagan Day dinner with Vivek Ramaswamy on 2025-09-09 in St. Henry; officers to attend in blue shirts.

• Otterbein Olympics on 2025-09-23; volunteers and boats needed.

• VIPs Camp Halloween Campout on 2025-10-03 to 2025-10-05.

• Walk with Nature on 2025-10-19.

• Six Grand Lake Trails signs with QR codes to be installed.

• West Bank playground shelter to arrive in a couple of weeks; TriStar vocational school to construct.

• All Abilities Playground on East Bank to be installed and ready for next year.

• Continue operating wetlands at current pump rates for a couple more weeks, then reduce rates by half.

• Complete construction of Red Wing Nature Preserve wetland by spring 2026.

• Monitor and analyze final data after pumps are turned off for the season.

• Potential future water quality treatments at Sunset Beach are under discussion, including non-toxic options.