Indian Lake Funding for Vegetation Removal Begins

COLUMBUS –State Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) secured more than $500,000 for weed harvesting operations on Indian Lake with the passing of House Bill 175 earlier this year. Now, those funds will trickle down to contractors after the Ohio Controlling Board released more than $371,000 to implement the removal operations.

“Indian Lake has a long history of being a natural playground in western Ohio,” said Cross. “But it needs our help to stay healthy. The people have asked for the states help in controlling the weed growth that has threatened the lake. With the funds secured and now released, we can provide that assistance.”

The funds released Monday, will be used to contract with a pair weed harvesting operations that will be tasked with controlling weed growth on the eastern half of the lake.  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources are responsible for the remainder of weed harvesting on the lake.

Contractors will work on a daily bases during the growing season to remove excess vegetation.

“This lake has been a priority for me,” Cross added. “With these funds we can get this problem under control.”

Indian Lake covers nearly 5,800 acres and started to experience excess vegetation growth two years ago due to improvements to water clarity and its shallow water levels.