March 21, 2012 - Update

Good Morning All,

"Brutus" - a new 12" suction dredge is scheduled to arrive today, March 21 - approximately noon at the East Bank launch ramp. The new dredge has been named "Brutus" by the Grand Lake St. Marys dredge staff. The dredge was manufactured by Ellicott Dredges in Baltimore, Maryland at an approximate cost of $670,000. "Brutus" will replace the 1968 "St. Marys" dredge which is also a 12" suction dredge.

This new dredge is another important component in the plan to improve boater navigation at Grand Lake St. Marys. "Brutus" will be used for many years to come removing large quantities of phosphorous laden lake bottom sediment. This will lessen the amount available to feed future blue-green algae blooms.

The public & media are invited to view the unloading of the new dredge but are asked to keep a safe distance as a crane will be used to lift the dredge off of semi trucks. Due to its size (24' x 67') and weight (57 tons) it will arrive on several different semi trucks and then will be assembled on the parking lot before it is launched.

A future dedication ceremony is being planned.

Brian C. Miller, CPM
Park Manager

March 13, 2012 - Update

Good Morning Everyone, A few updates

• See below reference Annual Lake Cleanup Day.
• A local committee has been pulled together to review lake level management. One of their first actions was to study the impact of opening a spillway tube (gate). Currently one tube is open 40".
• The new dredge "Brutus" is to arrive March 20 at the East Bank launch ramp parking lot.
• Crappie fishing is the best it has been in MANY years!! (Remember to purchase your 2012 fishing license)
• We should see an announcement any day on the 2012 alum treatment!! (I am hearing it is GOOD news)
• The old Ohio Marine has been purchase by some local individuals.
• East Bank Launch Ramp renovation project bids open today.
• Windy Point Launch Ramp has been repaired so that boat trailers do not drag on transition of ramp any longer.
• Harmon's Rip Rap project completed.
• Kozy Island Rip Rap project started.
• Another aggressive dredge season to begin within the next month.
• Dock invoices have been mailed and are due by May 1st. (50% discount)
• Many other projects will be taking place this year also to make Grand Lake St. Marys State Park a premier destination.

Respectfully,
Brian C. Miller, CPM

Annual Lake Clean Up Day at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

In celebration of "Earth Day" Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in conjunction with the Lake Improvement Association and the Grand Lake - Wabash Watershed Alliance will be hosting the Annual Lake Cleanup Day, Saturday April 21 from 9 until Noon. Once again the boating community is challenged with inaccessible shoreline cleanup. Residents are being asked to get a team together and use their fishing or hunting boats to assist with the cleanup. The shoreline cleanup also may require hip boots or waders as well as some type of long handle equipment to reach back into the vegetation.

As in the past clean up gloves and bags will be provided at the East Bank Launch Ramp, Windy Point Launch Ramp and West Bank Launch. We ask that the collected debris be brought to these locations. Any large quantities that can not be mobilized to these locations shall be taken to another boat ramp if at all possible so that the State Park can access it with equipment. We ask that the State Park office then be contacted so pickup can be arranged.

Anyone wanting to get started sooner may gladly do so. We just ask that you contact the State Park office to advise what area has been completed and make arrangements for debris pickup if needed.

For more information, contact
David Faler, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park
419-394-3611

January 25, 2012 - Update

2012 is going to be another aggressive year at Grand Lake St. Marys. Below is a list of the current projects.

• Discounted fees offered now through August 30 which will include 25% off of camping, get away rentals and shelter house as well as 50% off of private & state dock fees excluding May 25 – 27 & June 30 – July 8.
• New dredge “Brutus” scheduled to be delivered 2nd week of February. This will be a replacement of the 1968 “St. Marys” dredge
• Dredge program goal is 275,000 cubic yards
• East Bank Launch Ramp renovations. The existing launch ramps will be renovated as well as the parking lot will be expanded and resurfaced. This project is being funded by grant funding from the ODNR Divisions of Watercraft & Wildlife at an estimated cost of $266,000 and is scheduled for spring/summer.
• St. Marys Boat Club & Frey’s launch ramp lighting. These projects being funded by Division of Wildlife using “Boater Angler” funds and are scheduled for spring.
• Campground restroom replacement. This project is scheduled for spring/summer.
• Campground seawall & dock expansion. This projects being funded by Division of Wildlife using “Boater Angler” funds and are scheduled for spring.
• Campground & Windy Point paving. Deteriorated roadways in both areas will be resurfaced spring/summer.
• Harmon’s rip rap project will be completed this spring.
• Rough fish removal will continue with an additional 3 new nets ordered and funded by ODNR Division of Wildlife.  
• Alum application - $1.5 million secured. Additional funds being solicited. Goal is to begin whole lake application April 1st weather dependent.
• Prairie Creek Treatment Train Phase 1 will be completed throughout the year
• Littoral Wetland – US Army Corp of Engineers in cooperation with ODNR funded a study of a littoral wetland. The study will be completed this spring.
• Aeration pilots – The State Park will be working with various companies to pilot different aeration technologies during the summer.
• Relocate “Airy Gator” from Park Grand bay to mouth of St. Marys Boat Club. This until will be monitored for impact in a “open channel”.
• Work will commence on the tow path trail north of US RT 33 to prepare for the extension of the crushed lime stone path

January 20, 2012 - Update

Discounts Offered on Camping, Shelter House and Dock Fees at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

COLUMBUS, OH- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources today announced discounted pricing for camping, shelter house rentals and dock fees at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.

The savings are available immediately and include:

• 25 percent off camping;
• 25 percent off Getaway rentals;
• 25 percent off of shelter house rental; and
• 50 percent off private and state dock fees.

"Working together with our community, legislative and regulatory partners, we have made great progress toward restoring and maintaining the natural beauty of this great park," said ODNR Director Jim Zehringer "We encourage individuals and families to explore and enjoy its many wonderful attractions."

These promotional fees apply until August 30, with the exception of May 25-27 and June 30-July 8. The discounts may not be used in combinations with other promotions or offers. Previous reservations will have the discount applied at check-in.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

For more information, contact:
Brian Miller, Manager, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park
419.394.3611

September 28, 2011 - Update

A state-sponsored alum treatment at Grand Lake St. Marys in June successfully reduced the intensity of harmful algal blooms in the lake this summer, according to a recent report by a U.S. EPA environmental consultant, Tetra Tech, Inc.

“I think we may have prevented a recurrence of the severe and damaging bloom of 2010 by reducing the phosphorus readily available to the cyanobacteria,” said Tetra Tech’s Dr. Harry Gibbons, author of the report. “This was like a multilayer cake and the alum prevented the frosting from being put on this year.”

The report revealed that the alum treatment exceeded expectations by reducing phosphorous levels in the center of the lake by 56 percent. A 50 percent reduction was the target for the partial treatment of the middle 4,000 acres of Grand Lake St. Marys.

The report also provides encouraging data for areas of the 13,000 acre lake not directly treated by alum this summer. Phosphorus levels decreased between 20 and 30 percent throughout the lake once the alum treatment was complete.

“These are positive results that exceeded our expectations,” Gibbons said.

The alum treatment also had a direct effect on water quality which improved recreational opportunities at Grand Lake St. Marys this year. Last year, events at the lake had to be cancelled due to poor lake water quality and toxic conditions.

The State of Ohio made Grand Lake St. Marys a priority in January when directors from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio Department of Agriculture all visited the lake the first week of Ohio Governor John Kasich’s administration.

“The previous summer’s bloom at the lake negatively impacted the regional economy of Grand Lake St. Marys,” said Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally. “Governor Kasich committed from the outset to having his cabinet work closely with the local community in developing an action plan to tackle this issue. The alum treatment was one of the tools we used and it clearly improved the water quality at the lake.”

Since early spring, ODNR’s dredging efforts have resulted in the removal of 210,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake. Additionally, the department has taken out more than 13 tons of rough fish (carp, gizzard shad and sucker fish). The dredging and rough fish removal activities will continue as long as weather conditions permit.

This year a farmer-led group, Ag Solutions, started meeting in the watershed to encourage good management practices that reduce phosphorus impact.  Currently more than 68 percent of the cropland in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed is being managed under a comprehensive nutrient management plan.

"Alum treatments, designated as short-term solutions, have assisted us in maintaining recreational lake activities this summer,” said Dr. Tom Knapke, Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission. “The commission's goal is to eliminate the need for future water advisories and restore the current and future health of Grand Lake.

Additional feedback is now being generated that will continue to guide our approach and remediation activities for 2012."

Tetra Tech is a consultant hired by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the State of Ohio. The company provides consulting, engineering and technical services for water and other environmental resources.

For more information, contact:
Laura Jones,
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
(614) 265-6787

Chris Abbruzzese,
Ohio EPA
(614) 644-2782

Andy Ware,
Ohio Department of Agriculture
(614) 752-4505

August 31, 2011 - Update

Good Afternoon Everyone, WOW what a GREAT weekend of hydroplane racing. Thanks to the Governor's Cup Regatta Committee for putting together such a great event. If you got out to the Regatta you hopefully stopped in the Lake Restoration Commission tent which had many of the vendors we have, are or possibly are going to work with along with the Ag Solutions group.

As for dredging all 3 dredges are operating well with very little down time.

• The "Pump a Little" dredge just finished the Riley Bay inlet which finished off filling the "McEvoy" dredge material relocation area (DMRA) next to Clancy's Hot Tubs. This dredge was moved today to the Bayview area and then will be moving to Lee Landing later this season so beware of the dredge line in that area.
• The "St. Marys" dredge is working in the "Kozy - Montezuma Bay" area and will be there the rest of the season.
• The "Eagle" dredge completed dredging up Coldwater Creek as close as they could get to State Route 127. They have now moved back out to the mouth of Coldwater Creek and will be there the rest of the season.
• We are currently working with a consultant to pull 60 sediment cores from the lake bottom which will be completed this week. The consultant will then dry and analysis the samples so that we have a better understand what types of materials we are dealing with. This will hopefully allows us to come up with a plan to handle the sediment for the long term.
• Operators are currently working to finish the Anderson "In-Lake DMRA" as well as reclaiming the Rustic haven DMRA as time allows.

Well we did what some say couldn't be done - all lake events were had with great success in 2011. Were some of the events attended as well as we would of liked? No but we all know it will take time to get visitors back to our area. It is impressive when you look back to where we were just a year ago.

August 5, 2011 - Update

Good Morning Everyone, Sorry I have not gotten anything out to you for sometime but my new position has been keeping me busy. I wanted to pass along some positive news and hope you help in spreading the word.

• The dredge program as of this morning has removed 147,000 cubic yards of nutrient rich sediment from the lake. We will be moving dredges around in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned.
• The Airy Gator near Shocker's is back in operation. We had a mechanical issue that required divers is why it took awhile to get back operating.
• Rough fish removal has been suspended due to water temperatures. Between the "Get the Carp Outta Here" tournament and ODNR trap net operation approximately 17.5 ton of rough fish were removed.
• Microcystin Toxins are continuing to get lower (knock on wood). There is a new website you can go to the monitor these  levels as well as learn more about harmful algae blooms - www.ohioalgaeinfo.com See below for this week's sampling results. Keep in mind the beaches and Celina water treatment plant are where we sample weekly. The USGS B-1 thru B-6 are the monitoring buoys spread throughout the main lake and are only sampled occasionally.
• Lake Improvement Barstool Open is tomorrow with a shotgun start at 9:00am. You can still sign up as late as tomorrow morning at your favorite lakeside establishment. Come out and support the LIA!!
• Governor's Dup Regatta is on for August 27 - 28. This year will be the World Championships. The Lake Restoration Commission will have an informational tent at the races so stop in and see us as well as many of the vendors who are involved with restoring our GREAT lake!! Even the Alum contractor is flying in from Nebraska to be available for questions.

May 23, 2011 - Update

Good Evening Everyone, Well I know a lot of you have not heard from me in some time which is typically a good thing. I know a lot of questions are coming up with the latest advisory posting yesterday. This advisory was posted at the State beaches and reads -

"Public Health Advisory - A harmful algal bloom or algal toxin has been detected at this location.  Swimming and wading are not recommended, water should not be swallowed and surface scum should be avoided." 

Keep in mind that boating and fishing are not impacted by this advisory. The lake is currently experiencing a planktothrix algae bloom (similar to 2009) which is a known microcystin toxin producer.

As I told many today this is not an issue that we can not just "flip the switch on".
Below is an excellent release from LIA President Tim Lovett.

Respectfully
Brian Miller  

LIA President: Grand Lake St. Marys Algal Bloom No Cause For Panic

May 7, 2011 - Update

Good Afternoon All, Just a quick update of all of the positive steps for the lake.

• All 3 dredges are operational now. "Pump a Little" at Northwood, "St. Marys" at Kozy Campground & the "Eagle" at Coldwater Creek
• Rough Fish removal continues with 6 trap nets in the Coldwater Creek area. See this link for video  http://www.whiotv.com/video/27806242/index.html
• Airygators up and running
• Alum project moving forward. See news release.
• Prairie Creek Treatment Train in design phase
• Floating wetland supplies available by contacting Laura Walker at laura.walker@mercercountyohio.org
• "Get the Carp Outta Here" Tournament June 3 - 5. Learn more at www.seemore.org
• Lake Cleanup day was a huge success with over 100 volunteers.

Removing your boat from HAB-contaminated water:
Please note that the risk from exposure to toxins from removing your boat from HAB-contaminated water is minimal.  However, to reduce any potential exposure to HAB-contaminated waters after removing a boat, ODH suggests the following preventative measures:

• Wear protective-waterproof gloves.
• Drain the water in your holding tank.
• Drain the water from your boat motor.
• Gently wash/rinse the boat with clean, non-contaminated lake water. 
• If a high-pressure wash is going to be used, we recommend letting the boat sit in the direct sun for a couple of hours so water can run off and/or evaporate.  As cyanobacteria toxins quickly break down in the air and sunlight, this will allow an opportunity to reduce the toxins potentially being aerosolized. 
• If people have direct dermal (skin) contact with HAB-contaminated lake water, thoroughly rinse all impacted areas with clean, non-contaminated water.
• If clothing becomes wet with HAB-contaminated lake water, replace with dry clothing.  Contaminated clothing can be cleaned in a household washer and dryer.