The Lake Improvement Association held its October meeting Saturday Morning October 4th. To view the meeting:

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The following is an AI Generated summary of the Lake Improvement Association Meeting:

This consolidated October 2025 Lake Improvement Association meeting summary combines two related updates into unified sections, reflecting financial decisions, projects (playground, shelter, Kids Fishing Derby), State Park status (lake levels, drought context), campground operations, fall events, infrastructure and wetlands work, canal repairs, dredging activities, water quality and algae monitoring, and community engagement. It highlights healthy finances, strong partnerships, ADA and safety improvements, wetlands treatment progress including Red Wing initiatives, toxin levels largely below advisory thresholds, and operational constraints due to drought and staffing. Action items are grouped consistently at the end. Content creation date: 2025-10-04.

Key Topics

• Financial Status and Funding Decisions

  • The association reported $75,084 in checking and $7,837 in the foundation; some foundation funds are committed to pending disbursements.

  • The association matched the Grand Lake Recreation Club’s $4,500 for a south-side bike path, totaling $9,000 between the two groups.

  • The association is contributing $4,749 toward an algae meter for Wright State Lake Campus University; the meter’s total cost is $43,871. More details may be shared by Dr. Jackman in a future meeting.

  • A $500 donation was made to the Brush Pile Tournament (6th-annual veterans tournament), which has raised more than $120,000 over the past five years.

• Program Adjustment

  • The planned “spooky” Grand Lake presentation was canceled a few days prior; notice was sent but may not have reached all attendees. The group hopes to attempt it next year.

• West Bank Playground and Shelter House

  • The new playground is seeing strong use, with regular observation of high activity.

  • Shelter house construction is underway with posts set; TriStar students are erecting the structure using a purchased package similar to those along Lake Shore Drive.

  • Funding came from multiple donors; the Grand Lake Rec Club completed funding by making the project whole.

  • Van Tilburg Farms provided excavation services for posts and grading at no charge, earning public appreciation.

• Kids Fishing Derby

  • The event hosted over 200 kids from four counties on a beautiful day, with many fish caught and strong volunteer support from the rec club, sportsman’s club, LIA, and others.

  • Over 500 hot dogs were cooked; Pantry Pride coordinated supplies and vendor donations, enabling feeding over 500 people for about $940.

  • Notable volunteers and sponsors included Cousins Youth Outdoor Development (donated 350 cane poles), Outdoorsmen, Villanova, ODNR Chief Glenn Cobb’s visit, and support from State Park staff.

  • Anecdotal highlight: Volunteer Joe Langenkamp’s tradition of keeping a fish in his pocket to delight kids who aren’t catching fish.

• State Park Update

  • Lake Conditions and Drought Context

    • Lake level is negative 11 inches. September rainfall was 1.06 inches; year-to-date rainfall totals 21.66 inches, less than last year.

    • Broader drought context noted, with the Maumee River experiencing record low flow and driest conditions on record.

  • Campground Operations and Improvements

    • Weekend food trucks were scheduled to provide consistent and varied options, including vendors like Schmidt’s Sausage (three Fridays), Meats Are Moving (four weekends), Little Piggy’s, Sizzlin’ Johnny’s, Two Dad’s Chicken, Buckeye Ice Cream, Peyton’s Kitchen, and Jay’s Lip Smackin’ Wings. Some vendors expressed concerns when revenue was low.

    • Two docks were replaced after ice damage; Shen Brothers drove new H-beams to restore them.

    • Crack sealing was completed across campground roads with ODOT’s help to preserve asphalt; plan is to repeat every 2–3 years until repaving.

    • Maintenance included rebuilding the splash pad pump twice, frequent leak repairs, and managing significant water loss through system lines and concrete cracks. A 500-gallon tank is used for safe chemical maintenance.

    • Camp store repainted inside and out; a new camp coordinator was hired. Three hazardous trees were removed. A new group campfire ring is in place.

  • Fall Festival and Seasonal Events

    • Fall Festival hosted 82 vendors, 16 food trucks, and participation from local marinas (Cozy, Bayview, Lakeshore, Boathouse, Outdoorsman) and first responders (St. Marys Township, ODNR officers, Auglaize County, Division of Wildlife, City of St. Marys).

    • Attendance was the best to date, causing overflow parking needs; vehicles were directed to park near the sailboat club. Concerns were raised about potential challenges in a wet year.

    • Halloween campouts featured kids’ games, “spooky putt-putt” using old taxidermy, costume and campsite judging, and distribution of 1,200 sack lunches funded by the Fall Festival.

  • Ongoing Campground Issues

    • Persistent ruts from vehicles leaving pads create hazards when dried.

    • Vandalism to trees includes bark stripping and copper nails inserted, which can kill trees; one targeted tree was planted in 2015.

    • Recycling dumpsters are being contaminated with trash; staff must manually remove garbage due to disposal rules. Suggestions from the community are requested.

  • Day-Use Areas and LIA-Supported Enhancements

    • LIA provided longer boards for picnic tables to deter moving them from shelter houses; the extended tables have remained in place.

    • The West Bank playground is the first ever installed there and is heavily used, fulfilling a clear need.

    • Additional signage was installed: 25 “Keep What Matters Afloat” signs (three types) and four Progressive signs. Progressive also supports buoys and Lifejacket Loaner Stations at Little Chick, West Bank, and East Bank.

  • Red Wing Trail Wetlands (Treatment Train) Project

    • A new treatment train site was acquired near the park office, enabling easier tours for visitors interested in wetlands and water management.

    • Preparatory work included dredging a nearby creek channel and removing invasive Russian autumn olive last fall.

    • Van Tilburg installed the intake this week; the site awaits significant rains for growth. The project is highlighted as a major resource and educational asset.

  • West Bank Infrastructure Improvements

    • A new ADA fishing dock replaced the original Eagle Scout-built structure destroyed by ice after wood refurbishment; the new dock is concrete and steel, cantilevered to resist ice damage. Funding involved the Division of Wildlife and work by Shin Brothers.

    • Tree planting initiative: Division of Forestry and Girl Scouts planted 1,200 trees near West Bank in May.

    • Dog park accessibility improvements moved the approach from the south side path to a new parking lot on the west side next to the road, funded by Rotary.

    • Electric service near the playground was reorganized to reduce congestion and improve safety; staff changes noted with Byron Morris moving to Mercer County.

• Facility and Infrastructure Improvements at East Bank and North Shore

  • Shelter house lighting upgrades

    • All three shelter houses at East Bank and the Villanova Shelter House on the North Shore were upgraded to LED lighting with occupancy sensors. Lights dim to about 10% until motion is detected, remain dimmed for about half an hour after someone leaves, and shut off completely after about an hour without movement.

  • Community amenities

    • New cornhole boards were purchased for the Sunset Beach area by the LIA.

  • Storm cleanup efforts

    • There were four storms this year requiring staff to remove branches and trees from roads; storms were fewer but more severe.

  • Equipment trials and learnings

    • “Mega mower” blades with steel claimed to be ten times stronger than normal were tested. They did not work in park conditions due to hitting hard objects (bumper blocks, rocks), causing large chunks to break off rather than minor chips; they may be suitable for residential use.

  • Memorial amenities proposal

    • A shift from memorial trees and benches (benches nearly at capacity) to memorial swings is proposed, inspired by installations at Maumee Bay. These are more expensive; potential placement on East Bank and West Bank to leverage scenic sunsets/sunrises. No takers yet.

• Canal and Towpath Access Improvements

  • Lock 23 repair

    • The control structure, previously exposed and damaged by the public (bent stem, busted gate preventing proper seal), was enclosed in concrete and locked. A new spillway was built a couple feet wider due to removal of the old gate and support structure.

  • Leak repairs

    • Six leaks were repaired, ranging from simple shovel fixes to about 200 linear feet of small holes along a bank. Repairs involved keying out soil, packing existing dirt, and adding new clay in 6 inch lifts.

  • Accessibility changes and towpath protection

    • Large signs were replaced with lockable bollards at Lock 14, Glenwood Road 219, and High Street in St. Mary’s to deter unauthorized vehicle access while allowing controlled maintenance access (bollards can be lowered when unlocked).

• Dredging Operations and Staffing

  • Equipment and activities

    • Brutus and the Hoedag operated this year, removing trees around the lake (e.g., at Park Grand), reclaiming one DMRA at Fry’s, and building another on the east side of Prairie Creek Treatment Train. The crew also supported two firework shows.

  • Staffing constraints

    • Historically there were two dredges; after purchasing the Hoedag, there are three. Staffing has only supported two, with hiring challenges attributed to a strong economy. It is uncertain what 2026 will bring regarding staffing levels.

• Wetland Pumping Performance and Drought Context

  • Flow rates and seasonal tapering

    • Wetlands began flowing in April. As vegetation senesces into mid-fall/winter, filtration potential and pumpable volumes decrease. Current flows: Prairie Creek and Beaver Creek at about half a million gallons a day each; Coldwater Creek at about one and three quarter to two million gallons a day; Burntwood Creek pump off since early July and capturing stormwater only; Big Chickasaw Creek at about three quarter million gallons a day until last week, now turned off for the year.

  • Drought impacts

    • Reported rainfall to date is “21, 21 and a half inches,” which is shockingly low and lower than last year’s drought. Low stream levels caused earlier pump shutdowns (e.g., Burntwood off in early July versus late August/early September last year).

  • Pumping totals and nutrient removals

    • Pumps expected to be turned off in the next two to three weeks; likely all off by the next monthly update. The team is close to, but will likely not reach, the goal of one billion gallons pumped this year due to low water availability. Reported removals include thousands of pounds of phosphorus, tens of thousands of pounds of nitrogen, and 20, 30, 50,000 pounds of sediment (“dirt”) before reaching Grand Lake.

• Red Wing Nature Preserve Wetland Project

  • Construction started about September 2 on a 15 to 16 acre wetland near the St. Marys Boat Club and Grand Lake Visitor Center. A pump system was installed to draw water from the lake through a force main to the top of the site, then passively flow back to the lake.

  • Target flow is about half a million gallons a day. Includes a stream restoration component.

  • Seeding will occur as soon as possible; vegetation typically takes 2–3 years to fully establish (sparse in years 1–2, proliferating in year 3). There is optimism about connecting walking trails to the existing Red Wing Trail; details are still being worked out.

• Lake Water Quality

  • Toxins, algae biomass, and community composition

    • This year’s toxin levels were above the historical weekly average only twice, and one was near the average. A small spike of 10 or 15 micrograms per liter occurred a few weeks ago due to changing weather and algal senescence; levels dissipate as toxins break down.

    • The lake has been below the WHO advisory level for the majority of this year, including mid-summer recreation periods, and at times below the widely used 8 micrograms per liter threshold in Ohio and the U.S.

    • Historically dominated by Planktothrix (cyanobacteria producing microcystins), but in the past 4–5 years, increasingly large portions of the year are not Planktothrix-dominated. Outside the dead of summer, a more diverse algal community has appeared, including beneficial algae supporting the food web.

    • Local Rotary Clubs (including Celina and St. Marys), the National Rotary Foundation, and the LIA funded acquisition of equipment that categorizes algae by light absorption characteristics, enabling automated community composition analysis beyond cyanobacteria quantification. The goal is to bring it online in the first part of 2026 and begin sharing data.

• Manure Application and Runoff Considerations During Harvest Season

  • Stewardship practices and risks

    • With ongoing harvest, manure application is active across the watershed. Low rainfall helps keep manure on fields, allowing incorporation and settling. A massive rain event near manure piles, especially adjacent to streams, could cause nutrient loading, potential algal rebounds, and toxin increases if warm weather persists.

  • Recommended practices

    • Emphasis on the “4Rs”: right place, right time, right way, right rate, informed by soil testing under distressed watershed rules (limits when nutrient levels are too high). Cover crops are encouraged to stabilize nutrients until spring.

  • Application window

    • Manure application is prohibited from December 15 to March 1.

• Community Engagement and Events

  • Otterbein Olympics success

    • Approximately 700 attendees were on campus; six pontoon boats provided 20-minute rides, with an estimated 280 to 300 people served in 3–4 hours. Visitors came from across the state, including Marblehead, and many took multiple rides, highlighting appreciation for the lake.

  • Meeting close

    • 50-50 drawing totaled $45.23, with the $8.63 winning number donated back. Next meeting is November 1st.

Open Issues & Risks

• Recycling contamination remains a problem; it is unclear how to prevent trash from being placed in recycling dumpsters.

• Vehicle-created ruts off pads pose trip hazards once dried, with no clear mitigation plan stated.

• Tree vandalism, including copper nails, threatens newly planted and existing trees; no responsible parties identified.

• Food truck participation has payment disputes when vendors report low sales; a consistent policy approach was not detailed.

• Event parking capacity during high-attendance weekends is limited; risks increase significantly in wet conditions without an alternative plan.

• Staffing uncertainty for dredging persists; it is unclear whether staffing will increase to operate more than two dredges in 2026.

• Trail connectivity specifics for the Red Wing Nature Preserve are not yet finalized; scope and timeline remain unclear.

• Extreme dryness (21 to 21 and a half inches of rain to date) limits pumping capacity and may prevent reaching the one billion gallon target.

• Risk of nutrient runoff increases if significant rain occurs during active manure application; could trigger algal rebounds and toxin spikes if conditions are warm.

Action Items

• Community members are invited to submit project ideas around the lake for potential LIA funding.

• Work with Teresa to finalize details and connectivity plans for walking trails associated with the Red Wing Nature Preserve wetland project.

• Plan for turning off all wetland pumps within the next two to three weeks based on nutrient data and water availability.