TWF Awarded $250k in Grants for New Water Quality Projects

The Watershed Foundation is thrilled to receive three generous grants from the Indiana DNR’s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program. The grants, totaling $250,000, will support three critical water quality projects on Deeds Creek, Crooked Lake, and Chapman Lakes. 

Read on for more about each project.

Deeds Creek Headwaters Project

This project focuses on the headwaters of Deeds Creek, which drains into Pike Lake, located in Warsaw. Over time, human activity has widened the creek and weakened its streambanks, causing erosion and other issues. Now it’s the greatest source of sediment and nutrients flowing into the lake. 

In 2020, TWF conducted a study that identified and assessed the stability of the banks along the entire 15-mile length of  Deeds Creek. The first project, completed in 2022, removed an aging dam and stabilized a section of the streambank. This headwaters project also emerged as a top priority because streambank instability, lack of vegetation, and limited floodplain have led to severe erosion. To fix these problems, contractors will regrade some banks to a less steep slope, realign the stream, and install stone, wood structures, and native plant vegetation to increase bank stability. 

The benefits? These changes should prevent nearly 123 tons of sediment (nearly 8 dual-axel dump truck loads), 105 pounds of phosphorus, and 209 pounds of nitrogen from entering Deeds Creek per year, ultimately protecting Pike Lake from that pollution.

The headwaters project will cost around $150,000. Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from the LARE program, as well as support from our IDEM 319 Grant and the Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office/Drainage Board, we now have the funding we need to see the project through. Construction will begin soon and should be completed by the end of 2024. 

Big thanks to our partners at the IDNR LARE Program, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office. We’re also grateful to landowners Keith and Phyllis Bays and William and Martha Coffing for working with us to make these critical improvements to Deeds Creek!

Crooked Lake Farm Ditch Project

This project focuses on a sediment pond and stream that drains into Little Crooked Lake, located in Whitley County. It’s a complex undertaking, with multiple components and locations, and is designed to help prevent erosion and reduce sediment, nutrients, and other pollution entering Little Crooked and Crooked Lakes.

Crooked Lake is of particular interest to TWF and the IDNR because it is one of the 7 remaining lakes in the state that still supports Cisco fish. These once abundant but now rare species require clean, cold water and a healthy ecosystem. However, Little Crooked Lake has experienced concerning blue-green algae blooms several times in the last five years.

Once completed, we estimate the farm ditch project will keep about 11 tons of sediment, 9 pounds of phosphorus, and 19 pounds of nitrogen out of Little Crooked and Crooked Lakes each year–a big win for water quality.

This project will cost around $151,000. The LARE Program has generously granted $100,000; TWF is working with the Crooked Lake Association to secure the remaining funds. Construction will likely begin later in 2024. We’re grateful to collaborate with LARE, the Crooked Lake Association, and landowner Don Crow on this impactful project!

Crooked Creek Stabilization Project

This project focuses on Crooked Creek, the largest inlet to the Chapman Lakes. When TWF conducted a study of the four inlets in 2023, stabilizing the streambanks of Crooked Creek emerged as a priority. Proposed fixes, including grading the banks to a stable slope and utilizing stone and woody structures, will help reduce erosion and prevent sediment and other pollutants from entering the lakes, protecting their overall water quality. 
The Crooked Creek project is still in the initial design and permitting stage. Currently, estimated costs come to $130,000. While LARE generously granted $50,000 towards the work, we need significant additional funding to see it through. TWF is working with state agencies, contractors, and our partners at the Chapman Lakes Foundation and Chapman Lakes Conservation Association to decide on our next steps and secure additional support.

Want to make a difference for water quality in your local lake?

Most of TWF’s funding for water quality improvement projects like these comes from local, state, and federal grants, and we’re incredibly grateful for this critical support. However, taking action for healthy lakes by securing project grants and partnerships involves enormous work behind the scenes. That work, and the rest of TWF’s daily operations, is 100% funded by contributions from our incredible community. Your support makes our work possible–thank you!