New Weed Report
Refurbished Dredge Back
Retired Park Manager Cleared
Plans for season 2013
Trees Removed
Road and Channel Closure
Hotel Possibility
New Weed Harvester
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New Weed Report
Dana Oleskiewicz is the Program Director for Citizen Lake Awareness and Monitoring and is part of the Ohio Lake Management Society. She explained, "Harmful Algal blooms are actually caused by a type of bacteria and are not algae. Only a few types, under the right curcumstances, are toxic."
Bodies of water at highest risk include those with nutrient problems, lakes high in phosphorous, low water levels, and calm and warm water.
Blue-green algae thrives off of phosphorous, a chemical widely used in crop farming. The heavy use of the substance for fertilizer in recent years has made agricultural operations one of the major contributing factors to the harmful algae across Ohio.
Vicky Boots is the Executive Director of the Indian Lake Watershed Project. She noted the difference between Grand Lake St. Mary’s and Indian Lake.“We have had so much cooperation from our agricultural producers out in the watershed. They got on board first hand back in 1990 when the watershed project was formed,”
Local farmers were willing to change their practices and take part in environmentally friendly projects. These include no-till crop farming, installation of buffer strips to prevent chemical-heavy runoff, and many others.Oleskiewicz also added that the continuous replenishing of Indian Lake from a freshwater source is another contributing factor for the lack of an algal bloom.
Boots and representatives from the Ohio Lake Management Society revealed a plan to test Indian Lake on a biweekly basis starting in July. A member of the Indian Lake Council volunteered and was trained to collect samples from the lake to be sent to a lab in order to identify the risk of the water.
Through continued vigilance and community awareness, the Indian Lake Watershed Project hopes to make enough of a difference in the surrounding community to prevent Indian Lake from falling into a fate similar to that of Grand Lake St. Mary.
For more information about Harmful Algal Blooms, go to www.OhioAlgaeInfo.com
Information from Joel Penhorwood WPKO
Refurbished Dredge Back
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the equipment is scheduled to address sediment issues at Pew Island channels, Pew Island Bay, Barnes Creek and Moundwood Channel. Built in 1964, the dredge was renovated by ODNR’s Division of Parks and Recreation. Refurbishment included removal of the dredge from the lake, complete disassembly, installation of a new steel hull and a rebuilt engine, fabrication of a new swing ladder, repair of the hydraulic and gear equipment as well as exterior sand blasting and a new paint job. Other duties ahead for the equipment include dredge material relocation construction projects, installing and maintaining the state park’s seawall, installing and repairing state docks, and weed harvesting, stump removal and other ongoing debris removal projects.
Bellefontain Examiner
Retired Park Manager, Frank Giannola Cleared of serious violations..
Following a 15-month investigation, the Ohio Inspector General released a report Thursday that said former Indian Lake State Park manager Frank Giannola (pictured) improperly handled an invoice and did not file the correct paperwork for an inoperable piece of equipment.
An allegation that Giannola improperly administered bids for repair and construction of the state’s boat docks and other real estate improvements at the park was not substantiated. The investigation proved that Giannola did not improperly use fuel nor did he reallocate a laptop computer.
The inspector general was originally notified by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on December 13th, 2011. An investigation started in January 2012.
Documents report that Giannola improperly handled one invoice.
You can see the complete report at http://watchdog.ohio.gov/Portals/0/pdf/investigations/2011-231.pdf.
Article by Bill Tipple WPKO
State Park Plans for season 2013
Park Manager Sholtis said dredging operations will be done around Pew Island and Barnes Channel this year.
An outbreak of the emerald ash borer forced park crews to remove several trees last year around the state park, Blackhawk, and Moundwood. Sholtis plans on raising funds to replace the trees. The Indian Lake Development Corporation is expected to spearhead the fundraising.
Sholtis said kayak enthusiasts can look forward to a launching area near Moundwood on the east side of State Route 368.
He reported many upgrades around the campground, which is the second most popular campground in the state park system. He said there will be road repairs in the campground, more outside seating, and WiFi on the grounds.
The Nature Center will be moved closer to the campground area.
Finally, Sholtis noted that longtime naturalist Vert Molitor recently retired.
The state park is looking to replace Molitor and hire seasonal help. If you're interested, contact the state park at 843-2717.
By Bill Tipple WPKO
Deceased Ash Trees Removed from Indian Lake
After the non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered at some Ohio State Parks in western Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Forestry and Ohio State Parks formed a partnership to remove the affected ash trees.
“The Division of Forestry brings a level of expertise to this project that allows these infested trees to be removed safely, quickly and in a cost-effective way from these state parks,” said ODNR Deputy Director Glen Cobb. “While it is disappointing to lose the ash trees, their removal is necessary to protect the safety of our visitors, which is our biggest priority.”
According to Gregg Maxfield, ODNR northern district forest manager, approximately 700-800 ash trees will be removed from Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, Indian Lake State Park and Lake Loramie State Park.
The ODNR Division of Forestry started working on removing trees from Indian Lake State Park on Dec. 11 before starting at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park. According to Maxfield, the tree removal at Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Loramie will be completed, weather-permitting, by the end of this week. He anticipates removal of the trees from the three state parks will be finished by early January.
The leftover wood from the trees is free to any individual at each of the three state parks in designated areas from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week. All interested individuals should contact the park offices for more information. It is recommended that firewood from the ash trees be burned locally by April.
The park managers for the three state parks are encouraging people to participate in the Adopt-a-Tree program or donate a tree to replace the ash trees that will be removed. People interested in adopting a tree, giving a financial gift or donating a tree may contact the individual park offices for more information.
Story by Scott Stockdale WPKO
Orchard Island Boat Channel and St. Rt. 708 closed.
Lane closures will be in effect on State Route 708 on the Orchard Island bridge north of Russells Point (between Holiday Cove Lane and ODNR 17 Road) beginning Tuesday at 7:00am. These will be 24-hour-a-day lane closures.
The affected lanes are scheduled to reopen to motorists in April of 2013. The total completion date for this project is June of 2013.
One lane of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction with a temporary traffic signal.
These lane closures are due to a contractor replacing a bridge over a boat channel in that area.
Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert you of the upcoming closure. All work is weather permitting.
The channel will be closed to boater traffic until March.
WPKO report.
Local and state officials explore Indian Lake hotel and marina
By Bill Tipple WPKO
Several local and state leaders met at the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon to learn more about a proposed hotel and marina.
If approved, the facility would be built on the south edge of the lake near the intersection of State Route 366 and Township Road 239 (west of Russells Point).
The hotel would be 65-75 rooms along with an 86-dock marina. RE Becker Builders in Wapakoneta owns the property.
Ron, Camille, and K.C. Becker were joined by Logan County Commissioner Dustin Wickersham, Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Miller, chamber board members, Russells Point Mayor Robin Reames, the Indian Lake Watershed, ODNR officials Frank Giannola, George Sholtis, and Glenn Cobb, State Representative Dorothy Pelanda, and State Senator Dave Burke explored the proposed development.
The issue was first discussed several years ago.
After the Ohio Department of Natural Resources lost interest in a hotel at Indian Lake, Sandra Brasington, liaison to Governor Kasich, worked with ODNR legislative liaison Ben Pendery to rekindle interest in the development.
No definitive action was taken Thursday.
State officials viewed the site on 366. They hope to have an answer in the next few weeks.
WEED HARVESTER
Indian Lake has a new weed harvestor machine thanks to the Watershed group and all who donated .
During the past twenty years the sediment flowing into Indian Lake has been reduced from 80,000 tons per year to 15,000 tons per year. The Citizens Lake Awareness Monitoring (CLAM) volunteers) who monitor for water clarity reported this past year readings of 52 inches with a 12 inch average for the 2010 season. As a result of these improvements the lake has seen the influx of weed growth - clearer water, better light penetration, more light - results in more weeds.
With the purchase of the weed harvester from local funds, the Indian Lake area can maintain the lake through the summer recreation season, keeping the lake free and clear of sediment and weeds. This will continue to make Indian Lake a prime tourist attraction and will promote commerce at Indian Lake. From the chamber newsletter.
During the past twenty years the sediment flowing into Indian Lake has been reduced from 80,000 tons per year to 15,000 tons per year. The Citizens Lake Awareness Monitoring (CLAM) volunteers) who monitor for water clarity reported this past year readings of 52 inches with a 12 inch average for the 2010 season. As a result of these improvements the lake has seen the influx of weed growth - clearer water, better light penetration, more light - results in more weeds.
With the purchase of the weed harvester from local funds, the Indian Lake area can maintain the lake through the summer recreation season, keeping the lake free and clear of sediment and weeds. This will continue to make Indian Lake a prime tourist attraction and will promote commerce at Indian Lake. From the chamber newsletter.
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