Revitalization Project Commences at Van Buren State Park, OH

The process will entail draining Van Buren Lake and removing the dam until it is no longer a regulated structure.

Author: Josh Tolento

VAN BUREN — The first phase of an ambitious project to rejuvenate the Van Buren Lake dam’s reservoir area by creating wetlands and habitat zones is now in progress.

Sarah Macy, program administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft and the project manager for the Van Buren State Park H2Ohio Project, expressed excitement about the upcoming transformation of this small but significant park.

ODNR, in collaboration with H2Ohio, has unveiled a proposal to revitalize the area by decommissioning the dam and introducing new wetlands and habitat areas. These changes aim to reduce the flow of nutrients, sediments, and pollutants into the reservoir, which are currently entering through the Rocky Ford Creek watershed.

In July, the Ohio Controlling Board approved $383,500 from an H2Ohio fund through ODNR to cover professional engineering services. GPD Group, operating as Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & DeHaven, Inc., an Akron-based firm, was enlisted to manage the project.

The decision to revitalize this area has been long-anticipated, according to Macy. She cited the age of the dam as a significant factor in this decision. The project’s roots date back to 1939 when an earthen dam was constructed over Rocky Ford Creek, forming Van Buren Lake. The dam’s initial purpose was to provide additional resources for fish and wildlife, and the lake served as a private wildlife preserve. In 1950, the lake and preserve were transferred to the Division of Parks and Recreation, where it has remained a state park.

PreviousNext

123

With the dam measuring 475 feet in length and 22.5 feet in height, the current reservoir area, approximately 55 acres, lacks the necessary depth for various recreational activities. Furthermore, the dam’s condition had deteriorated over time, adversely impacting the water quality of Rocky Ford Creek, ultimately flowing into Lake Erie.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency had identified the dam as the source of water quality impairment, prompting action to improve the stream’s water quality and address sediment accumulation behind the dam, which had deterred kayaking.

H2Ohio, initiated by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, focuses on addressing water quality issues across the state, including harmful algal blooms, deteriorating water and wastewater infrastructure, and lead contamination from aging pipes and fixtures. Collaborators in this endeavor include ODNR, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio EPA, and Lake Erie Commission, each concentrating on specific aspects.

Macy highlighted ODNR’s role in creating, restoring, and enhancing water bodies like streams, wetlands, and floodplains as part of H2Ohio. Initially centered on Northwest Ohio, where harmful algal blooms were prevalent in the western Lake Erie basin, H2Ohio’s scope has since expanded to encompass the entire state.

Upon her hiring in 2021, Macy identified the Van Buren Lake dam as a prime candidate for H2Ohio funding, which would contribute to the project’s second phase, involving construction. While cost estimates for this phase are not yet available, a pivotal step in construction will be the dam’s decommissioning. This process will entail draining and removing the dam until it is no longer a regulated structure. ODNR will also dismantle the lake, allowing the stream to flow through the former lake area. In this location, a wetlands complex will be developed alongside a floodplain, equipped with native vegetation to mitigate flooding and improve water quality by filtering nutrients and trapping sediment.

PreviousNext

1234567

The engineering phase and construction are estimated to span three years, with the dam’s complete draining and drying out following decommissioning. Another phase will follow, focusing on the addition of recreational amenities, including a bridge connecting the north and south sections of the park.

While this phase will be separate from the H2Ohio Project, the newly created wetlands and habitat area will become a prominent feature of Van Buren State Park. Although visitors may witness temporary disruptions during the construction phase, the ultimate vision includes lush vegetation, flowing streams, and a haven for migratory birds and wildlife.

As the project unfolds, the park is poised to undergo a remarkable transformation, generating excitement and anticipation among local residents and nature enthusiasts alike.