Ecosystem Restoration Project

The Town of Cedar Lake has taken on the task of the Ecosystem Restoration Project to protect and improve our Lake. This project has taken decades to come to fruition, but it is scheduled to start in 2022.  You can review our timeline and plan below.  In addition, the Town and Cedar Lake Enhancement Association accepts contributions to help with the cost and continued maintenance of this valuable resource to our community.

This project addresses the immediate need to dredge and reduce decades of sediment that has contaminated our Lake and the long-term maintenance and continued care of our Lake. When completed, our Lake will be an improved recreational attraction to our residents and guests and an ecological restoration project to repair our damaged Lake and restore its native fish and plant habitat.

Updates

Emergency Rule and Map – Indiana DNR

Temporarily amends 312 IAC 5 to provides that an individual may not operate a boat at a speed greater than idle speed on Cedar Lake when operating the boat at a distance less than 201 feet from: (1) dredging equipment; or (2) the center line that extends along the narrowest portion of Cedar Lake. Provides…

June 7th – 8th Update

Wednesday, June 7th and Thursday, June 8th, 2023: Friday, June 9th, 2023: General Safety Announcement:

Businesses Are Open

We have had some folks call and ask us if businesses are closed due to the dredging project, and they are not required to be closed during the dredging. All businesses in town, including the marinas, are able to be open during the dredging project.

Urgent Dredge Update

The pipe crossings did not go in today as planned after multiple attempts by Dredge America.  It was too windy today creating dangerous conditions to work.  Dredge America will be starting first thing in the morning tomorrow to try again and get the southern and middle crossings installed.  They were however able to get the…

Dredging Update May 23, 2023

Wednesday May 24th• Dredge America will be transporting additional fused pipeline (9am – 12pm) from South Shore Country Club parking lot into the lake to connect onto the south end up to Pine Crest Marina. Boaters can still boat through the southern end of the lake if they need access, but they just need to…

Dredging Pipe is now in place on the lake.

The pipe used for dredging is now in place on Cedar Lake. The pipe is marked with flags. Please use the crossing points which are also marked.

2021

May – December
Technical and Engineering Design

2022

January – February
Permitting process through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

March-April
Project Bidding and Award

May – September
Construction of Sediment Dewatering Facility (SDF)


June 6, 2022
Groundbreaking Ceremony

Construction of Dewatering Facility

2023

April
Pipeline Construction, including  the construction of new pipe-sleave through CSX Railroad Embankment and the replacement of a pipe and repair of the pond outlet within Lake County Parks Property

May
Public Informational Meeting held May 8, 2023

Installation of the Dredge Pipe, May 26, 2023

Dredging & Dewatering Facility, July 18, 2023

 

May – November
Dredging and Treatment of 120,000 Cubic Yards of Sediment

Dredge VesselDredge VesselPipe DischargeSettle Pond

Boater Safety Map for Dredging

June
Dredging of material begins.

October

Town Engineer Don Oliphant provides an update on the dredging project during the October Storm Water Board Public Meeting:

 

December

Winterizing of pipes and Sediment Dewatering Facility

2024

April
Preparation and inspection of the pipeline.

April – November
Dredging and Treatment of 120,000 Cubic Yards of Sediment.

November
Removal of Pipeline and stabilization of the Sediment Dewatering Facility.

2025

April
Preparation and inspection of the pipeline.

April – November
Dredging and Treatment of 120,000 Cubic Yards of Sediment.

November
Removal of Pipeline and stabilization of the Sediment Dewatering Facility.

Finalization of Restoration Project 2026 & Beyond

IDNR to perform complete fishery restoration

  • Once the dredging project is completed (likely 2025), IDNR will follow-up and
    perform a complete fishery restoration to remove non-native and invasive
    species.
  • Alum Treatment must be completed before fishery restocking
  • Restock and restore the native fishery
  • IDNR will take care of all aspects of the project, including funding
    • Public Outreach
    • Removal – Disposal
    • Restocking
    • Follow up monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this damage my Lakefront Property?

No.  The dredging operations will be performed on the lake and the lake bottom.  The pipeline will be located on a property where the property owner has provided permission.

Will I be able to check the sediment that is dredged from the lake for lost items or valuables?

No.  The dredging equipment has multiple grinders that pulverize everything pulled into the pipe into small particles before it ever reaches the sediment dewatering facility.

Is the low lake level due to the dredging? (June 23, 2023)

Yes and no.  Currently, the low level of the lake is primarily due to the drought we are experiencing.  During the Public Information meeting (which can be viewed above), our professionals explained the rule of thumb is based on the surface area provided in the sediment dewatering facility (“SDF”) and surface area of the lake: The larger ratio between the size of the lake and SDF, the less concern there is about large drops in the lake. For example, the lake is 780 acres and the SDF is 44 acres. Based on that ratio and assuming we are pumping 100% water (dredge effluent is 15-20% solids) with no release from the SDF the calculations are as follows:

• 2 ft. holding in the SDF equates to a 1.4” drop in lake level.
• 4 ft. holding in the SDF equates to a 2.7” drop in lake level.
• 6 ft. holding in the SDF equates to a 4.1” drop in lake level.
• 8 ft. holding in the SDF equates to a 5.4” drop in lake level.

The SDF is currently holding approximately 2 feet of water, which equates to just over a 1-inch drop in the lake level.