Natural Resources Update – June 2025
Mercer County Ag & Natural Resources Director Theresa Dirksen offered an update at the June 2025 Lake Improvement Association meeting.
Grand Lake Tourism Update – June 2025
Grand Lake Region Visitors Center Director Matt Staugler offered an update on local tourism at the June 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
LIA Donates Concrete Cornhole Boards for Sunset Beach
The Lake Improvement Association recently donated concrete cornhole boards for Sunset Beach on the northeast side of Grand Lake St. Marys. The cornhole boards make it easy for anyone to enjoy a game of cornhole without needing to lug heavy boards to and from the beach – players just need to bring th
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Update – May 2025
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager David Faler gave an update about the park at the May 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
Ag & Natural Resources Update – May 2025
Mercer County Agriculture & Natural Resources Director Theresa Dircksen offered an update at the May 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
Grand Lake Fish Hatchery Presentation
The fish hatchery’s Jessica Break offered a presentation about the fish hatchery at the May 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
VIDEO: Grand Lake Oil History
Mercer County Historical Society Director Cait Clark gave a presentation on Grand Lake’s oil history at the April 2025 Lake Improvement Association meeting.
VIDEO: Water Quality Updates April 2025
Wright State University Lake-Campus Biology Professor Dr. Stephen Jacquemin provided a water quality update at the April 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting. Video, PowerPoint, and a link to the referenced study are below.STUDY LINKPowerPoint
STUDY: Coldwater Creek Wetland Reduces Nutrient Load by Over 60%
A recent study published in the Wetlands science journal examined the long-term impact of the Coldwater Creek Restored Wetland on water quality within the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed. Here are highlights from the study, which was conducted by Wright State University-Lake Campus Biology Professor
Help Fight H2Ohio Budget Cuts: Write Your Senator
LIA Donates $500 for Grand Lake Crappie Series
The Lake Improvement Association recently donated $500 to sponsor this year’s Grand Lake Crappie series. We support events like this that bring people into our community, showcase our lake, and help boost our local economy.
LIA Donates $5,000 to Governor’s Cup Regatta
The Governor’s Cup Regatta will be back on Grand Lake this June 21 and 22! The Lake Improvement Association recently donated $5,000 to sponsor the event, which will bring people into our community, showcase the lake, and help boost our local economy. Learn more about the Governor’s Cup Regatta here:
Celina Lions Club Donates $5,000 for West Bank Shelter House
Celina Lions Club recently donated $5,000 to be used for the construction of a new shelter house adjacent to the ADA fishing dock on the west bank of Grand Lake St. Marys.The West Bank Shelter House project is a joint effort between the Lake Improvement Association and the Grand Lake Recreation Club
LIA Donates $4K to Celina Lakefest Fireworks
The Lake Improvement Association recently donated $4,000 to sponsor fireworks at the Celina Lake Festival. The LIA sponsors local events that bring people into our community, showcase the lake, and boost our local economy. Learn more about Lakefest here: https://celinalakefest.com/
$5.3 Million Allocated for Prairie Creek & Coldwater Creek Repairs
A few months ago, we reported that the state allocated $2.6 million to repair the berm at Prairie Creek. That figure has been elevated to $5.3 million, which will leave funds for work that’s needed for Coldwater Creek. The state is currently working with a firm on preliminary engineering. We will po
LIA Secretary Michael Emans Testifies in Front of Ohio House Budget Committee
On March 5, 2025, Board Member Michael Emans was in Columbus at the Ohio Statehouse to give testimony in front of the House Budget Committee for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. His testimony was to advocate for increased funding for the Division of Parks and Watercraft, specifically, our S
LIA Helps State Park Rebuild Picnic Tables
The Lake Improvement Association recently donated $1,824 to the state park to rebuild shelter house picnic tables. The park used the funds to build enough 12-foot picnic tables to outfit all 7 shelter houses around Grand Lake.
Division of Wildlife Recognizes Theresa Dirksen with Wildlife Award
ODNR Division of Wildlife recently honored Mercer County Ag and Natural Resources Director Theresa Dirksen with the Wildlife Award for her efforts in wetland projects around Grand Lake.Division of Wildlife Wetlands Habitat Coordinator Dave Sherman presented Theresa with the award at the March 2025 L
VIDEO: Grand Lake’s Prehistoric Past
Wright State University-Lake Campus Professor of Geology and Paleobiology Dr. Chuck Ciampaglio gave a presentation about Grand Lake’s prehistory at the March 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
VIDEO: March 2025 Ag & Natural Resources Update
Mercer County Agriculture & Natural Resources Director Theresa Dirksen offers an update at the March 2025 Lake Improvement Association meeting. View the video and PowerPoint below.
Winter Icebreaker ’25 Pics
We want to say “thank you” to everyone who attended Winter Icebreaker 2025! We hope everyone had a great time! Also, a huge “thank you” to our silent auction donors, band sponsors, and volunteers – you helped make this one of our most successful dances ever! Check out these pics from the dance, cour
Grand Lake Wetlands Report Feb. 2025
Video, PowerPoint presentation, creek flow data, and wetland PDF.Wright State University-Lake Campus Biology Professor Dr. Stephen Jacquemin provided an update of Grand Lake wetlands performace at the February 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting. Below are the video, PowerPoint presenta
VIDEO: Feb. 2025 LIA Member Meeting
Video from the February 2025 Lake Improvement Association member meeting.
All Abilities Playground Update
View the updates and rendering for the inclusive playground coming to the East Bank.A HUGE THANK YOU to the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities!We are excited to share an update about the All Abilities Playground coming to the East Bank.As you may know, the Auglaize County Board of D