The Indian Lake Boaters Helping Boaters (ILBHB) organization is taking steps to make the lake safer after dark with a trial run of eight illuminated buoys near the spillway this summer.
“Our motto has always been ‘keeping Indian Lake safe and clean,’ but it hasn’t felt very safe after dark,” said ILBHB representatives Brian Jones and John West. “Many remember when every buoy was lit — historically, buoys were illuminated in the 1970s, but they were slowly phased out due to maintenance costs or other unknown reasons. We’re bringing that back.”
ILBHB is funding the project entirely and expressed gratitude to key contributors, including Heidie Whittman, Indian Lake State Park Manager; Shawn Nixon of ODNR; Lt. Mike Roeger, LEO; and Brian Davis of Dovetail Metal Sign & Design, who built the buoy brackets.
There are more than 200 buoys on Indian Lake, and the new lit buoys are set to be installed in the coming weeks.
Updates will follow as they go in the water, marking a significant safety improvement for the lake’s boating community.
Boating Rules and No-Wake Zones
ODNR is reminding boaters to take note that Ohio law requires adherence to no-wake zones and idle speed areas for safety:
- Shore zones: Water within 300 feet of the shoreline is considered a shore zone. Operators are prohibited from creating wakes within these zones, danger zones, or any designated no-wake area at any time (Ohio Admin. Code 1501:47-3-14).
- Buoy-marked areas: Vessels must operate at idle speed (the slowest speed needed to maintain steerage) in all areas marked as no-wake on the water (Ohio Rev. Code 1547.08; Definition of idle speed or no wake 1546.01).
ODNR recommends wearing a U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device at all times.
Boater Education Opportunities
Ohio Boaters Education Courses help operators meet state requirements for vessels over 10 hp, required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 (Ohio Rev. Code 1547.05).
Locally, free courses will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with limited class sizes.
Registration is required by calling the park office at (937) 843-2717.
- March 14 – Russell’s Point Municipal Building
- April 18 – Urbana Community Center
- May 16 – Bellefontaine Historical Center
To find courses statewide, visit Ohio DNR Boater Education Calendar.
Support the Buoy Project
Those who wish to support ILBHB can mail checks to P.O. Box 1148, Russell’s Point, Ohio 43348, or donate via Venmo.
