Group advised officials have started lowering Grand Lake water level

CELINA - Officials have begun lowering the level of Grand Lake, which is 11 inches over the target depth.

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager Brian Miller said at Saturday's Lake Improvement Association meeting the ideal water level is nine inches below the spillway notch. On Wednesday one spillway tube was opened to 30 inches since the lake level was two inches above the notch.

"We may open it up even more," Miller said. "We've had a lot of snow and precipitation and the water is coming in as fast as we're drawing it out."

The plan is to have the water drawn down by March 15, he said.

Miller also told members the new splash pad and shower house will be built at the state park sometime this summer and fall. The money for the projects will come from $88.5 million the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is spending to modernize parks in the next two years.

The splash pad will likely be built near the ball field near the campgrounds, Miller said. The pad will use water supplied by the city of St. Marys and will have a storage tank that will reuse the water after it has been chlorinated and filtered, he said.

Another 20 campsites will be renovated to have full electric and sewer hookups, he added.

Dock fees will be billed this month and will not be pro-rated. The full rate will be due May 1, he said.

More trees affected by emerald ash borers have been cut down and anyone wanting firewood can go to Windy Point, Anderson's or Harmons and pick up the wood in the parking lots.

ODNR Waterway/Construction Operations Manager Tom Grabow, who was not at the meeting, hopes to start dredging April 1 despite the 14-16 inches of ice still on the lake, according to Miller.

At the last meeting, Grabow announced dredging would be increased from four days a week to five days, 10 hours a day.

Dredging projects for this year include Riley Bay on the West Bank, Windy Point, Blue Herring Cove, Southmoor Shores near the park campground and Rustic Haven.

In other news:

• The Lake Clean-Up Day is scheduled for April 25 from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers are needed both on the shore and in the water.

• The playground equipment purchased by the LIA will be installed next month. More information will come later.

• Casino Night is March 21 at Romer's Catering. Doors open at 7 p.m. and gaming starts at 7:30 p.m. Games will include blackjack and Texas Hold 'em along with slot machines and carnival games. Music will be provided by a disc jockey and appetizers and a cash bar will be available. All proceeds go toward the Celina Lake Festival fireworks and improving Grand Lake.