Charles Mill Lake Dredge Project

Charles Mill Lake is one of ten lakes owned and operated by MWCD. The lake has been filling up with silt, reducing the navigability of the lake. Because of the siltation problem, it was decided dredging the lake was the answer. The dredge project is being funded by a $815,006 grant by the State of Ohio NatureWorks Program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The depth of Charles Mill Lake in the area to be dredged is about three feet on average; the dredge project will increase the depth to five feet in the channels.

The dredging project will create navigable channels in the lake where access is becoming a problem. The channels will be from 60 to 75 feet wide. The project is being started where the sedimentation is the worst.

The goal is to create access to and from the Black Fork of the Mohican River, residential areas and the campground. The area immediately north of State Route 430 and west of the bridge is being prepared to serve as a staging area. The dredge will be launched from this area. The dredging will start at the launch site and move north to the US Route 30 bridge.

The dredge material will be disposed of in the lake adjacent to Pine Island and the "Haunted Island," creating a wetland environment that will enhance waterfowl breeding and fish habitat.

A floating barrier will contain the dredge material until it is stable. Dredge material will be disposed of by transport through a 10" pressure pipe which will lay between the dredge and the disposal area. The pipe will be marked with orange buoys. The pipe will float and may be crossed with care. Outboard motors should not be locked in the down position when it is idle crossing the pipe.

Recreational users will be able to use the lake during the dredging. Fishing and boating is permissible in the dredge area as long as a reasonable distance is maintained between the boat and the dredge. The public is asked never to board the dredge when idle.