Lake Improvement Association Highlights Water Quality Progress, Park Projects at August Meeting

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CELINA — Water quality improvements, major park projects, and a look at the natural beauty of Grand Lake St. Marys highlighted the August meeting of the Lake Improvement Association Saturday morning at the Celina Moose Lodge.

LIA President Brian Morris announced the East Bank All-Abilities Playground is now fully funded. Installation of the playground equipment has been completed, with the poured-in-place rubber safety surface expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned during the Developmentally Disabled Children's Fishing Derby on September 16.

Morris also updated members on Eagle Scout Ben Hannawald's bridge project at Red Wing Nature Preserve. The LIA previously committed $5,000 toward the estimated $11,000 project, which will connect the state park campground to the nature preserve.

The organization also reviewed several recent community events, including Boardwalk Fest, where a membership promotion added 41 new members, along with sponsorships of the Governor's Cup Regatta and LakeFest fireworks. Morris encouraged participation in next weekend's Barstool Open, the association's largest annual fundraiser benefiting lake improvement efforts.

Another major announcement was confirmation that $800,000 has been secured in the state's 2027-2028 capital budget to repave East Bank Road, a long-discussed project.

Wetlands Continue Improving Water Quality

Wright State University researcher Dr. Stephen Jacquemin reported that Grand Lake's treatment wetlands have processed between 550 and 600 million gallons of water so far this year.

According to Jacquemin, the wetlands are reducing total nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended sediment by as much as 75 percent, while dissolved nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms have been reduced by 40 to 50 percent.

"This is a big year for us," Jacquemin said. "We're doing extremely well this year and very happy with how things are going."

He noted the newest wetland at Red Wing Nature Preserve has already begun improving water quality during its first year of operation.

Jacquemin said algae levels have fluctuated throughout the summer but, aside from three significant spikes, have generally remained below the long-term average. He attributed this year's earlier algae season in part to a mild winter that allowed more algae to survive into spring.

He also discussed low dissolved oxygen levels caused by hot summer water temperatures, noting that recent fish kills have primarily occurred in shallow back channels rather than the main lake.

Looking ahead, Jacquemin announced funding has been secured through H2Ohio and Ohio EPA programs for the Barnes Creek Wetland, a project expected to begin construction in 2027. The wetland will pump and naturally filter millions of gallons of water daily before returning cleaner water to the lake.

Jacquemin also highlighted a newly published scientific study documenting Grand Lake's water balance over a two-year period, including how water moves through the lake, canal system and watershed.

State Park Reports Busy Summer

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager Dave Faler reported the lake level currently sits about one inch below normal pool, with East and West Bank gates open approximately three inches.

Campground occupancy has remained strong throughout the summer, with weekend camping essentially full since before Memorial Day and weekday occupancy ranging between 52 and 65 percent.

Faler said the park has begun reducing mowing in low-use areas to improve conservation efforts while lowering fuel and maintenance costs.

He also announced the state has awarded $5.4 million to completely renovate the East Bank Marina area. The project will include new boat ramps, expanded boat parking, new seawalls, restroom facilities and demolition of the existing marina building.

Additional park improvements include construction of a new year-round ADA-accessible restroom at Fry's, continued dredging operations that have removed approximately 61,000 cubic yards of sediment this year, and ongoing planning for future littoral wetlands.

Naturalist Showcases Lake Wildlife

Retired naturalist Tom Hissong concluded the meeting with a presentation titled "The Nature of Grand Lake St. Marys."

Drawing on more than four decades of experience in environmental education, Hissong shared photographs and stories featuring many of the lake's wildlife species, including bald eagles, white pelicans, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, herring gulls, ring-billed gulls, osprey, mink and American lotus.

He noted Grand Lake now supports roughly 20 active bald eagle nests and praised the lake as one of Ohio's premier locations for wildlife observation.

The Lake Improvement Association's next meeting will be held September 5 and will feature naturalist Laura Walker, who is expected to present a program on amphibians.