Partnering for Progress at Pike Lake

A LAKE IN DECLINE

Long-time residents of Pike Lake in Warsaw recall when fishing at their lake was the best in the county, and people came from all around to swim at the clear beaches.

But water monitoring conducted in 2016-2017 revealed that large amounts of pollution from the land are entering the streams and rivers that feed Pike Lake.

“The lake is essentially filling in,” said Scott Parker, president of the Pike Lake Association. “People want to enjoy swimming and the good fishing that they used to have here. It’s our job to try to restore it to what it used to be.”

Pike Lake has a vast watershed area measuring 23,405 acres, most of which is agricultural land. This means that sediment and nutrients from all over this area has the potential to drain into Pike. In recent decades, the phosphorus levels in the lake have been increasing, while clarity has declined. Residents and city patrons have also noticed more algae and aquatic weeds.

PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION

To reverse this trend, TWF has been working with the Pike Lake Association Board on a long-term plan to improve conditions.

Improvements include sediment removal from the inlet of Deed’s Creek, the removal of a dam upstream of that location, a study of 19 miles of Deed’s Creek streambanks, and agricultural conservation projects throughout the watershed.

In addition, the City of Warsaw has completed shoreline projects at Beyer and Lucerne Parks. There are also plans to reroute storm drains away from the lake, further reducing the introduction of sediment and pollution.

TWF is excited to be part of the big strides taking place for the benefit of Pike Lake and our community!