Shreve Lake Construction to Begin Soon with Release of Funding

COLUMBUS – Work to restore Shreve Lake will continue after the Ohio Controlling Board Monday released the full $5.5 million allocated for the project that State Representative Scott Wiggam(R-Wayne County) fought to include in the Capital Budget. 

The new round of funding will be released to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to hire a construction contractor to complete work on the dam. 

In June, the project was funded with $900,000 for engineering services to assess the damage to the dam and develop a plan for restoration.

“Shreve Lake has been in need of repair for years,” said Wiggam. “Now this project is getting the full attention of the state to bring back the county’s only public fishing access. I’m pleased to see this project is moving forward.”

In September 2014 the overflow pipe that runs under the dam was failing causing sinkholes to form in the earthen dam. The 58-acre lake’s water level was lowered for safety concerns.

ODNR officials believe the dam spillway structure and drain conduits will need to be replaced. Construction is expected to last through the summer of 2024. 

Shreve Lake was originally constructed in 1961 and the lake was filled in 1962.