LAKEVIEW, Ohio –(7-18-22) The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is providing an update on the ongoing effort to combat the unprecedented aquatic vegetation growth that has impacted boating on Indian Lake.
About Indian Lake
What began as a shallow feeder lake for the Miami & Erie Canal in the 19th century, later turned into a popular resort park after the canal era ended in Ohio. Today, Indian Lake offers a variety of on-the-water recreational options including boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming. Off the lake, visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, and winter activities such as ice fishing and snowmobiling.
ODNR has three dedicated aquatic vegetation harvesters running at Indian Lake during the 2022 season and hired three private companies to operate harvesters that began in early June. There were a total of seven harvesters running the week of July 11 – 15.
At the recommendation of AquaDoc, ODNR recently began a trial application of ProcellaCOR EC, a selective systemic herbicide. The test area, near Lakeview Harbor, has been buoyed off and we ask boaters to stay away from this area.
Weekly updates from July 11 – 15 include:
• Aquatic harvesters removed 5,459.5 cubic yards of vegetation outside of South Bank, Pew Island, and Old Field Beach.
• Scout dredge removed 2,275 cubic yards of sediment from the nature preserve area.
• Harvesters will focus next on areas near Moundwood, Tecumseh Island, Blackhawk, Sassafras, and Chippewa.
• Residents are reminded that aquatic spraying may be conducted only by approved companies, including Aqua Doc and Aquatics Plus Pond Management. The approved private aquatic vegetation harvesting companies are Burrey Aquatic Restoration and Shoreline Construction.
• Two aquatic vegetation drop-off sites are available for residents to deposit aquatic vegetation removed from private docks. Sites include the gravel pull-off parking lot by Moundwood Marina located off State Route 368 on the east side of Moundwood Boat Ramp Entrance and the helipad parking lot on the southeast corner (large parking lot located off State Route 366 near Artist Island, between Russell’s Point and the Spillway).
ODNR staff will participate in Indian Lake Watershed Project (ILWP) and Indian Lake Development Corporation (ILDC) and other community meetings to discuss ongoing action and hear stakeholder feedback. ILWP and ILDC meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.
Weekly plans, photos and videos, and operational reports of vegetation removal will be posted on the Indian Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management tab of ODNR’s website and on the Indian Lake State Park Facebook page. Additional signage will soon be placed throughout the park to provide direct links to vegetation removal information.
ODNR is working with AquaDoc, a lake and pond management company, to determine the current vegetation community, analyze the effectiveness of current methods for vegetation control, and develop a Lake Vegetation Management Plan to address maintaining overall water quality and recreational use of the system.
The feedback and recommendations of stakeholders is invaluable. Please contact ODNR staff by emailing Indian.lake.parks@dnr.ohio.gov.
Mercer County Outlook 