Grand Lake St. Marys Improvement: 2023 In Review

Many people and organizations collaborated to make positive strides for Grand Lake St. Marys improvement in 2023. Community support is critical to success, and the Lake Improvement Association applauds the efforts of all those who contribute to make Grand Lake St. Marys an economic engine, wildlife sanctuary, and recreation hub for everyone who enjoys its waters and shores. The following recaps 2023 lake improvement highlights, with additional details and photos below. 

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Special thanks to the following individuals who contributed to this year in review, and for all their efforts to improve and promote Grand Lake St. Marys:

• Dr. Stephen Jacquemin, Professor of Biology, Wright State University-Lake Campus
• Theresa Dirksen, Mercer County Agriculture & Natural Resource Director
• Tom Grabow, Ohio Dredging Program Administrator
• David Faler, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager
• Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Community/Economic Development Director
• Donna Grube, Executive Director, Grand Lake Region Visitors Center
• Brad Fisher, President, Grand Lake Recreation Club

2023 Highlights

Water Quality

• Cleaner Water: Lake conditions relative to algal biomass and microcystin toxins were low this year relative to historical averages – continuing a promising trend that has become apparent over the past 8+ years. 2023 seasonal total microcystin toxin averages were ~75% less than historical (2009-2022) winter values, ~50% less than spring averages, ~25% less than summer averages, and ~90% less than fall averages
• Expanded Watershed Conservation: Around 100+  acres of wetland restoration began during 2023, including the Big and Little Chickasaw Creek projects as well as the St. Marys Canal Wetland
• Promising Wetland Data: Wetland monitoring data continued to demonstrate that the GLSM wetlands are a sink for nutrients with demonstration of up to 90+% nutrient concentration reductions from stream flow
• Less Nutrient Loading: 2023 was a very low flow year with the exception of a few spring months. The majority of stream flows were down well over 50% from historical discharge averages. Extending discharge to load – this meant that much of 2023 experienced lower than average loading

Wetlands & Ag

• Mercer Wildlife Area Wetlands: Construction was completed on more than 9 new acres of wetlands and an additional 10.5 acres of wetlands were enhanced. Phase 3 will begin in 2024, including 11 acres of new wetlands, 2.5 acres of stabilized shoreline, and a 4-acre wetland at Southwest Greenspace
• Chickasaw Creek Wetlands and Stream Restoration: Construction began on the Big Chickasaw Creek treatment wetlands and the Little Chickasaw Creek stream restoration and wetlands. Nearly 24 acres will be seeded to a variety of native grasses, 3,200 wetland plant plugs will be planted, and nearly 1,000 new native trees will be planted
• Rosenbeck Family Nature Preserve: This 8.831-acre property was acquired by the Lake Facilities Authority. Future plans include wetlands, tree plantings, and a small walking trail
• Lake Restoration Commission: The LRC will continue to fund the monitoring of the treatment wetlands throughout the watershed via an agreement with Wright State University-Lake Campus. The LRC also spent over $28,000 this year on maintenance and repair of pumps at the existing treatment wetlands

Dredging

• 190,566 Cubic Yards Dredged
• Dredging Projects Completed: Channels at Prairie Creek, Montezuma, Sunnyside, Bayview, and Goat Island
• DMRA & Rip Rapping: 100% completed with the second cell on the long-term disposal area at Prairie Creek.  Reconstructing after the material removal of west bank DMRA has begun; continued rip rapping on Windy Point channels

Tourism & Economy

• Desirable Destination: Visitors continue to flock to GLSM, evidenced by lodging tax receipts that increased by nearly 10% over 2022
• State Park Campground: The number of overnight stays during 2023 increased by more than 1,500 from 2022
• Renovated Beach: The sand beach volleyball court and playground at Sunset Beach were both very popular in 2023. The handicap kayak launch ramp continued to draw kayakers to the northeast side of the lake
• Educational Photo Opp: A lifesize eagle’s nest with informational signage was a great addition to the Grand Lake Region Visitors Center grounds in late 2023
• State and National Recognition: Ohio Magazine named Celina one of Ohio’s best hometowns for its welcoming downtown, thriving sense of community, and location along Grand Lake. Mercer County was featured on Viewpoint with host Dennis Quaid, and the show airs on nearly 200 TV stations throughout the United States

Amenities, Ongoing Projects & Events

• West Bank Playground: The Lake Improvement Association has partnered with multiple community organizations and businesses to purchase and install a new playground adjacent to the dog park toward the south end of the West Bank. Installation is planned for 2024
• Northwood Lighthouse Preservation: Work continues to preserve the Northwood Lighthouse, located on the north bank of Grand Lake St. Marys between St. Marys and Celina
• ADA Fishing Dock: The Lake Improvement Association, Grand Lake Recreation Club, and Shinn Brothers, Inc., partnered to install a new accessible fishing dock on the south end of Grand Lake’s West Bank
• Beach, Channel, and Ditch Clean-Up: The Grand Lake Recreation Club cleaned up three beaches in 2023: Boater’s Beach, Prairie Creek, and Harbor Point. The group also completed channel and lake clean-ups, pulling logs and other debris out of the lake with their boat, the Log Dog. The Rec Club additionally cleaned the ditch along State Route 219 between Doss Landing and Karafit Rd. four times this year
• Channel Marker and Light Repairs: The LIA and Grand Lake Recreation Club repaired and added lights on solar-lit markers on the lake’s major channels
• Lighted Buoys and Safety Buckets: The Grand Lake Recreation Club has added 45 lights and 21 illuminated buoys around the lake as part of the Trevor Mobley Memorial Foundation Light Project
• Outreach and Support: The LIA continued ongoing support for treatment trains and other water quality initiatives, petitioned the state to increase funding for Ohio’s state parks, and offered support for the Heritage Trail initiative. We also updated our lake maps and will be distributing more than 20,000 maps throughout the community
• Successful Events: The LIA held several successful events to raise funds for lake improvement efforts, including the Bar Stool Open and Winter Icebreaker. We also participated in the inaugural Boardwalkfest. The Grand Lake Recreation Club hosted successful Bicycle Poker Run and “bands on the beach” events, and the GLSM State Park Campgrounds had a great turnout for its annual Fall Festival

Water Quality

Courtesy Dr. Stephen Jacquemin

Cleaner Water

Lake conditions relative to algal biomass and microcystin toxins were low this year relative to historical averages – continuing a promising trend that has become apparent over the past 8+ years. 2023 seasonal total microcystin toxin averages were ~75% less than historical (2009-2022) winter values, ~50% less than spring averages, ~25% less than summer averages, and ~90% less than fall averages.

Expanded Watershed Conservation

Around 100+ acres of wetland restoration began during 2023 including the Big and Little Chickasaw Creek projects as well St Marys Canal Wetland with numerous plans to continue wetland habitat restoration projects in and around the watershed for next year.

Promising Wetland Data

Wetland monitoring data continued to demonstrate that the GLSM wetlands are a sink for nutrients with demonstration of up to 90+% nutrient concentration reductions from stream flow with 9%, 13%, and 4% of the equivalent annual stream flow volume captured from Coldwater Creek, Prairie Creek, and Beaver Creek, respectively.

Less Nutrient Loading

2023 was a very low flow year with the exception of a few spring months. The majority of stream flows were down well over 50% from historical discharge averages. Extending discharge to load – this meant that much of 2023 experienced lower than average loadings. On a larger scale – watershed conservation monitoring has continued to indicate improvements in tributary concentrations of nutrients as well as corresponding loading reductions. Long term analyses to update findings are planned for 2024.

Wetlands & Ag

Courtesy Theresa Dirksen

Mercer Wildlife Area Wetlands

Phase 2 Wetlands at Mercer Wildlife Area were constructed in July of 2023.  This project included the construction of over 9 new acres of wetlands as well as the enhancement of an existing 10.5-acre wetland.  2.5 acres of new oak trees were planted to further enhance and expand the existing forested wetland. Water is pumped from a nearby existing pump station on a back channel of the lake to fill the wetlands. 

Phase 3 has been contracted and will be under construction in the first half of 2024.  It includes 11 acres of new wetland, 2.5 acres of stabilized shoreline and an additional pump station.  This project will also include the construction of a 4-acre wetland at Southwest Greenspace (old Southbay Motel property) with a pump station pumping water from Monroe Creek.

All parts of this project were made possible by H2Ohio funds through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.  Southwest Greenspace was acquired utilizing a Clean Ohio Greenspace grant.

Phase 1 Aerial Photo – May 2023

Phase 2 New Wetland – September 2023

Chickasaw Creek Wetlands and Stream Restoration

The construction of the Big Chickasaw Creek treatment wetlands and the Little Chickasaw Creek stream restoration and wetlands began in early November 2023.  Construction will continue through the end of the year if the weather allows.  All seed will be planted as a frost seeding this winter, bare root stock trees will be planted in the spring, wetland plugs will be planted in late spring and the container tree stock will be planted in the fall of 2024 to wrap up the project.

Water will be pumped from Big Chickasaw Creek through a new pump station and forcemain to the wetlands.  Little Chickasaw Creek is being diverted into the new stream restoration and wetlands area before being reconnected to the existing stream.  A large observation mound with a walking path will be available from the Little Chickasaw boat ramp for public access once the site is well-established.

Nearly 24 acres will be seeded to a variety of native grasses, 3,200 wetland plant plugs will be planted, and nearly 1,000 new native trees will be planted.  This project is made possible through State Capital improvement funds and Ohio EPA Section 319 funds.

Big Chickasaw Creek Wetlands – November 2023

Little Chickasaw Creek – November 2023

Rosenbeck Family Nature Preserve

This 8.831-acre property was acquired by the Lake Facilities Authority in September 2023.  The property sits adjacent to Coldwater Creek near the intersection of Fleetfoot Road and State Route 219.  The land was acquired utilizing a Clean Ohio Greenspace grant, which requires that the land be in conservation in perpetuity.  Future plans for the site include wetlands, tree plantings and a small walking trail.  The property has been seeded to a cover crop and cool season grass mix while plans for the site are underway.

Aerial Image of the Rosenbeck Family Nature Preserve – Spring 2023

Several other land acquisitions are in process thanks to additional Clean Ohio Greenspace grants received by the Lake Facilities Authority and Mercer County.  These parcels will be acquired in early 2024 and plans for the development of wetlands are in process.

Lake Restoration Commission

The Lake Restoration Commission (LRC) will continue to fund the monitoring of the treatment wetlands throughout the watershed via an agreement with Wright State University-Lake Campus.  The LRC also spent over $28,000 this year on maintenance and repair of pumps at the existing treatment wetlands.  An additional water control structure was added to the Beaver Creek vegetated biofilter to maximize flow through the system.  Seed was purchased to enhance several wetland areas, including the littoral wetlands, with a portion of that seed being applied using a drone.

Dredging

Courtesy Tom Grabow

2023 Dredge Summary 

The Grand Lake dredge program completed many dredge projects this year, including: 

• Prairie Creek Channel 
• Main Montezuma Channel (will complete silt trap next spring) 
• Sunnyside Channel 
• Bayview silt trap and ramp channel (finish Bayview Campground Channel next spring) 
• Goat Island Channel 
• 95% completed with the 2nd cell on the long-term disposal area at Prairie Creek (Uppenkamp) 
• Continue rip rapping on the Windy Point Channels 
• We continue to give the dredge material away as a beneficial reusable resource

Dredge Production

• Brutus – 57,775 cubic yards (did not get the dredge operating until August 15th due to long lead time on the repair parts for the dredge gear reduction) 
• Hoedag – 112,983 cubic yards 
• P-A-L Dredge went down on August 10th. The cutter drive failed and we had to order a new one. We will not take possession of the part until late December/early January. 19,808 cubic yards for the season (all sand) 

Total Cubic Yards: 190,566 cubic yards 

ODNR will announce the projects for next year at the February LIA meeting. We look forward to a more productive dredge season in 2024. 

Source: Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Facebook Page

Tourism & Economy

Courtesy Donna Grube and Jared Ebbing

Desirable Destination

Visitors continue to flock to GLSM, evidenced by lodging tax receipts that increased by nearly 10% over 2022.  The brightly colored lodging of the Boardwalk Village along with the Helton Lodge lake toy rentals, the Boardwalk Marketplace, the Blue Goose Shuttle and Boardwalk Grill have given the west bank a true resort feel, appealing to a whole new sector of visitors. 

Source: Grand Lake Region Visitors Center Facebook Page

State Park Campground

Courtesy David Faler

Total nights stayed at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Campground during 2023 increased by more than 1,500 from 2022. The park also completed the following projects: 

• Removed brush and added rip rap to the east side of the East Bank Pond
• Hauled over 40 loads of dirt to the side of East Bank Pond, leveled and seeded
• Restriped several parking lots around the park and in the campgrounds
• Painted the campsite number on the pavement next to the road
• Removed the vines, installed additional rip rap and regraded parking lot at Shells with assistance from the Grand Lake Recreation Club
• Made improvements to the Nature Center
• Crack sealed approximately half of the camp thanks to the Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT)
• Removed existing tile and installed a new tile in the camp, and added additional rip rap
• Planted 34 trees in the campgrounds
• Planted 30 trees on the East Bank
• Mowed back Monroe Road and all of the ditches at West Bank, including the wood line on the dam

Source: Grand Lake Region Visitors Center Facebook Page

Renovated Beach

The sand beach volleyball court (thanks LIA) and playground at Sunset Beach were both very popular in 2023. Thanks to the neighbors who donated a basket and volleyballs, footballs, and beach balls.  The handicap kayak launch ramp continued to draw kayakers to the northeast side of the lake.

Source: Grand Lake Region Visitors Center Facebook Page

Educational Photo Opp

A life size eagle’s nest with informational signage was a great addition to the Grand Lake Region Visitors Center grounds in late 2023. The project of Eagle Scout Conner Sunderhaus brings the grandeur of this Grand Lake raptor to life. The visitors center has seen a steady stream of people visit the site since its installation.

Source: Grand Lake Region Visitors Center Facebook Page

State and National Recognition

Ohio Magazine named Celina one of Ohio’s best hometowns for its welcoming downtown, thriving sense of community, and location along Grand Lake.

Mercer County was featured on Viewpoint with host Dennis Quaid, and the show airs on nearly 200 TV stations throughout the United States.

Auglaize/Mercer Counties Lodging Tax Collection, May – August 

Amenities, Ongoing Projects & Events

West Bank Playground

The Lake Improvement Association has partnered with multiple community organizations and businesses to purchase and install a new playground adjacent to the dog park toward the south end of the West Bank of Grand Lake St. Marys. Multiple community partners are contributing funding and installation, including Celina Moose, Celina Eagles, Celina Rotary, Celina American Legion, South Shore Sportsman Club, RanDer Advertising, Boardwalk Village, Boardwalk Grill, Celina Kiwanis, and others to be named. VTF Excavation is donating installation. The LIA worked with the St. Marys Community Foundation to secure a 100% matching grant from GameTime to fund the project. The playground is expected to be installed either this fall or next spring, depending on delivery date and weather, and will be open to the public by next spring.

Northwood Lighthouse Preservation Project

Work continues to preserve the Northwood Lighthouse, located on the north bank of Grand Lake St. Marys partway between St. Marys and Celina.

Originally built in the early 1920’s as part of the Northwood development, the lighthouse was the first to shine on Grand Lake St. Marys and stands as a testament to our rich heritage nearly 100 years later.

ADA Fishing Dock

The Lake Improvement Association, Grand Lake Recreation Club, and Shinn Brothers, Inc., partnered to install a new accessible fishing dock on the south end of Grand Lake’s West Bank. 

The floating dock features a 20-foot x 14-foot layout with 240 sq. ft. of surface space on composite decking with a 16-foot A.D.A. bridge. It will provide a safe and accessible environment for fishing on the lake.

Beach, Channel, and Ditch Clean-Up

The Grand Lake Recreation Club cleaned up three beaches in 2023: Boater’s Beach, Prairie Creek, and Harbor Point. The group also completed channel and lake clean-ups, pulling logs and other debris out of the lake with their boat, the Log Dog. The Rec Club additionally cleaned the ditch along State Route 219 between Doss Landing and Karafit Rd. four times this year.

Source: Grand Lake Recreation Club

Lighted Buoys and Safety Buckets

The Grand Lake Recreation Club has added 45 lights and 21 illuminated buoys around the lake as part of the Trevor Mobley Memorial Foundation Light Project.

Source: Grand Lake Recreation Club

Channel Marker & Light Repairs

The LIA and Grand Lake Recreation Club repaired and added lights on solar-lit markers on the lake’s major channels.

Outreach and Support

The LIA continued ongoing support for treatment trains and other water quality initiatives, petitioned the state to increase funding for Ohio’s state parks, and offered support for the Heritage Trail initiative. We also updated our lake maps and will be distributing more than 20,000 maps throughout the community.

Successful Events

The LIA held several successful events to raise funds for lake improvement efforts, including the Bar Stool Open and Winter Icebreaker. We also participated in the inaugural Boardwalkfest. The Grand Lake Recreation Club hosted successful Bicycle Poker Run and “bands on the beach” events, and the GLSM State Park Campgrounds had a great turnout for its annual Fall Festival.

LIA Membership Growth

LIA membership numbers continue to grow as more people wish to contribute toward lake improvement efforts. In addition to funding water quality and amenity projects, the LIA serves as a collective voice for GLSM stakeholders, working to influence policies and legislation to protect, preserve and restore Grand Lake St. Marys as an economic engine, wildlife habitat and recreation hub for all who enjoy its waters and shores. 

Although 2023 was a good year for lake improvement, it will take ongoing support and work to keep everything trending in the right direction. We face new and constant challenges and must remain proactive to continue to work toward a restored Grand Lake St. Marys and a brighter future for all who enjoy and depend on the lake.

Please join us or renew your LIA membership