As odd as it is writing about cool weather boating while it's 90 degrees outside (earlier this week, I should say), I do look forward to late September and October on the water. There is something so peaceful about cruising around with a hoodie on watching autumn come to fruition. The slowing pace of recreation allows the LLCD staff to regroup, take a breath, and turn our focus to projects in the park, on the lake, and within the office. With quite the project list for this off-season, we will have improvements across all aspects of the LLCD...from capital improvements to our online user interfaces to paperless transactions.

As I have mentioned in the past, it is amazing how far we have come in the past year with implementing our sediment management project. The hydraulic dredging operation is in full swing, and the basin is working as designed, if not better. The dredge booster pump has been installed and Heartland Dredging is fine tuning the equipment to maximize production. Within the next week I will be releasing a new informational video on our three-year dredging plan, taking us through 2025. I plan to include the Project Manager from Heartland Dredging as well who will include an update directly from the contractor. So Stay Tuned!

A pleasure to serve,

Adam Casey

LLCD District Manager

Fall Yard Cleanup & Maintenance Tips

Autumn is just around the corner, and you can already begin to see the signs around the lake. The water temperature is beginning to come down from summer highs, new migratory birds will be coming through, and the color changing on the leaves is becoming noticeable (and quite gorgeous).

LLCD would like to remind residents that as we clean yard litter please refrain from placing yard waste into the lake.

Also, as you think about fall grass fertilization, please note that you should use phosphorus free lawn fertilizer. Phosphorus is "junk food" for algae present in a lake. One pound of phosphorus can produce 10,000 pounds of wet weeds and algae. When phosphorus is washed into lakes, the algae grow out of control (known as algae blooms). These “blooms” reduce the water clarity, visibility, and taste. Some forms of blue-green algae can be toxic.

It's also important to note that the majority of Indiana soil already contains adequate amounts of phosphorus for a healthy lawn, so most lawns don't need the extra food. Phosphorus is needed only on newly seeded lawns or where soil testing indicates a deficiency. Avoid getting fertilizer on driveways, sidewalks and storm drains. Above all, fertilize carefully. Don't let your fertilizer application get into the lake.

Thanks for keeping our lake healthy and gorgeous for years to come.

~Ross Carlson, Operations Supervisor