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.
ODNR has three dedicated aquatic vegetation harvesters running at Indian Lake during the 2022 season and hired two private companies to operate harvesters that began in early June. There were a total of seven harvesters running the week of July 5 – 8.
This week, in collaboration with AquaDoc, ODNR will begin a trial application of ProcellaCOR EC, a selective systemic herbicide.
Weekly updates from July 5 -8 include:
- Aquatic harvesters removed 3,531 cubic yards of vegetation outside of South Bank, Pew Island, and Old Field Beach.
- Scout dredge removed 2,500 cubic yards of sediment from the nature preserve area.
- ODNR, at the recommendation of AquaDoc, will begin a trial application of ProcellaCOR EC, a selective systemic herbicide. Spraying of the herbicide will take place on July 12th and 13th. The test area will be marked. Boaters are asked to avoid the area.
- Harvesters will next be focused on Orchard Island, boaters beach, Blue Heron Cove, the west side of Artists Island, and Fox Island.
- 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 the 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.
For a more detailed update with pictures, click here.
ODNR is working with Aqua Doc, 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 are invaluable. Please contact ODNR staff by emailing [email protected].
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
