Grand Lake State Park Manager Gives Lake Level And Cleanup Update At LIA Meeting

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager Dave Faler provided an update on lake levels, rainfall totals, and cleanup efforts during the May meeting of the Lake Improvement Association in Celina.

Faler said the lake level was sitting at plus 4.1 inches. Rainfall for the year so far is at 10.43 inches. By comparison, rainfall at this point was 8.66 inches in 2025, 14.46 inches in 2024, and 12.12 inches in 2023.

April rainfall totaled 4.49 inches.

Faler said this year has brought some unusual conditions around Grand Lake. He noted that, despite spring rains, water did not stand at East Bank, something he does not recall seeing since he was hired in 1995.

He also explained that in winter and early spring, an inch of rain will usually raise the lake level by three to four inches. During the summer, it typically takes three to four inches of rain to raise the lake one inch. So far this year, Faler said the lake has been reacting more like summer conditions, with three to four inches of rain needed to bring the lake up one inch.

Faler said he believes the area is coming out of the drought, with rainfall trending upward, but added that it will still be interesting to see what the summer brings.

Faler also gave an update on the recent lake cleanup day. He said volunteers cleaned areas including East Bank, West Bank, and Windy Point, collecting 24 bags of trash.

He also credited the Rec Club for its continued strong support, saying the group picked up a truckload of junk from the lake. Items collected included everything from a rocking chair to a 55 gallon barrel.

Faler said he and Officer Chris King also cleaned up several larger items, including a castle, three duck blind walls, and a dog ramp from Duck Blind.

Faler called it another great year for the lake cleanup and thanked those who helped take care of Grand Lake.