Sediment Removal Plan for - State of Indiana

Sediment Removal Plan for

Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake, and Oswego Lake Kosciusko County, Indiana

Prepared For: Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association P.O. Box 224 Leesburg, Indiana 46538

Prepared by:

Williams Creek Consulting, Inc. 619 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

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Lake Tippecanoe/James Lake/Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Kosciusko County, Indiana

January 2013

Table of Contents Sediment Removal Plan

Page

Executive Summary

ii

1.0

Introduction

1

2.0

Project Tasks 2.1 Contact Information 2.2 Project Location 2.3 Historical Information 2.4 Public Involvement

1

3.0

Design Criteria 3.1 Sediment Characteristics 3.2 Lake Tippecanoe Description 3.3 Potential Sediment Removal Areas 3.4 Land Agreements

4

4.0

Construction Criteria 4.1 Sediment Removal 4.2 Contractor Selection 4.3 Spoil Disposal 4.4 Permitting 4.5 Construction Schedule 4.6 Cost Estimate 4.7 Priority Ranking

16

Figures Figure 1 – Site Location Map Figure 2 – Potential Sediment Removal Areas Figure 3 – Sediment Sample Locations Figure 4 – Existing Vegetation Locations Figure 5 – Potential Sediment Disposal Sites Appendices Appendix A – Potential Sediment Removal Areas Appendix B – Sediment Chemical Analysis Appendix C – Landowner Agreement

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Lake Tippecanoe/James Lake/Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Kosciusko County, Indiana

January 2013

Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake and Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Executive Summary The Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake and Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan is the result of the efforts of the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) and concerned residents of the lakes. The LTPO has worked with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement program for over the last 15 years to reduce sediment and nutrient inflow into the lakes. As various projects have been undertaken within the watershed to control sedimentation in to the lake, this group is concerned about identifying areas and calculating volume in order to apply for funds to remove the existing sediment. The LTPO are concerned about limited recreation capacity as well as diminished habitat and degraded water quality as a result of sediment accumulation in specific areas within the lakes. The LTPO recognized the need to reduce the amount of sediment coming into the lakes before undertaking the sediment removal process and has been working on projects on lake inlets since the 1997 Lake Tippecanoe Diagnostic Study. This Sediment Removal Plan addresses the amount of sediment located in areas of concern based upon LTPO input and investigation, the chemical and physical composition of the identified sediment, and the removal process based on IDNR guidance. The Plan identifies the areas where the removed sediment will be dewatered and the construction of the sediment dewatering basin. Private channels on the lakes were evaluated for sediment deposits, the results are included as part of the plan. As LTPO moves forward to secure LARE funding for sediment removal on public areas of the lakes, the landowners of the property around the private channels may find it to their advantage to consider concurrent sediment removal. Potential cost savings to the channel owners include the dredge already being on the lakes and the possibility of using the same sediment dewatering basin. This Sediment Removal Plan, when paired with the corrective actions previously completed will improve water quality and habitat and improve recreation possibilities in the lake.

Acknowledgements This Sediment Removal Plan was completed with funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Fish and Wildlife, Lake and River Enhancement Program, and the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners, Incorporated. Williams Creek Consulting, Inc., documented the historical information, completed the in lake sediment measurements, collected samples for chemical evaluation, calculated the amount of sediment in the lake. A site meeting with Indiana Department of Natural Resources was held to review sites and determine the permits needed for the sediment removal. Special thanks are due to the lake residents of Lake Tippecanoe who volunteered their time, boats, and ideas. Overall this document is about the influence of the inlets, recreational activity and associated prevailing winds effects on Lake Tippecanoe, the efforts of the residents to remove the sediment, and restore the recreation and habitat benefits by removal of accumulated sediment.

This concerned group of residents is committed to protecting and improving

water quality and habitat within Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake (Little Tippy) and Oswego Lake and the surrounding watershed.

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Lake Tippecanoe/James Lake/Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Kosciusko County, Indiana

January 2013

Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake and Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan 1.0

Introduction

This sediment removal plan has been prepared by Williams Creek to satisfy the requirements of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program for sediment removal projects. The purpose of the plan is to provide a descriptive outline of the proposed sediment removal project, identify the location, extent, and approximate volume of sediment to be removed, identify the proposed location for sediment disposal, and provide a discussion of likely regulatory requirements. The Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake and Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan was completed under the guidance of the IDNR LARE Program Scope of Services and the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) to address accumulated sediment deposits and resulting algal growth within Lake Tippecanoe James Lake (Little Tippy), and Oswego Lake. The accumulated sediment and resulting algae has reduced access to the Lakes for residents and other recreational users, and has and will likely continue to spread if not controlled. The objective of this plan is to identify areas of the Lake affected by sedimentation and algae, define the approximate amounts of material present, and outline a process for removal and disposal. For the purpose of this report the term Lake Tippecanoe encompasses Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake (Little Tippy), and Oswego Lake.

2.0

Project Tasks

The following sections define the proposed sediment removal project and describe the tasks necessary for its successful completion. 2.1

Contact Information

The LTPO was formed in 1944 as the Lake Tippecanoe Protective Association for the purpose of preserving the health and beauty of the Lake. The LTPO has continued to update and expand the goals of the original Protective Organization and has developed a strategic plan to reach those goals. For the purposes of this Sediment Removal Plan and associated LARE funding applications, the primary point of contact with the LTPO is Holly LaSalle. Contact for this project Name & Title: Address: Phone: Email:

Holly LaSalle; Chairperson, Aquatic Weed Control and Dredging 67 EMS T49 A Lane, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 (day) 574-275-1286, (evening) 574-834-2185 [email protected]

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Lake Tippecanoe/James Lake/Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Kosciusko County, Indiana

January 2013

The current officers of the LTPO are summarized in the following table: Office President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Chair of Aquatic Weed Control and Dredging

2.2

Current Office Holder Jon Tyler Jeff Thornburgh Angela Drook Becky Hartman Holly LaSalle

Project Location

Lake Tippecanoe is an 880 acre lake (1,133 acres including James Lake and Oswego Lake) located in Kosciusko County, Indiana. The watershed for the lake is 71,660 acres. Public access for the lake is located at the following locations, Tippecanoe Boat Company (fee), Pie-Eyed Petey's Marina and Restaurant (fee), Patona Bay Resort (fee), Tippy Dance Hall (fee), Grassy Creek Boat Launch (IDNR). The project site is located in the North Webster, Indiana USGS Topographic Map Quadrangle, in Sections 8 and 17, Township 33N, Range 7E. The project site is located in the 8-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) 05120106, Tippecanoe watershed. Additionally the lake watershed is divided between two 12-digit hydrologic unit codes (HUC) 051201060105 (Tippecanoe River) on the north and east; and 051201060104 (Grassy Creek) south and east of the lake. Latitude: 41° 19’35.37” N, Longitude: 85°45’31.29” W. The site is located approximately 2 miles due west of the town of North Webster, Indiana (Figure 1). Figure 1: Location Map

Proposed dredge areas are distributed throughout the lakes. Eighteen areas identified for sediment removal include eight private channel areas. Information for sediment removal for the private channels is being provided to the individual channel associations so the groups may privately contract with the dredging company concurrently with public areas being dredged. Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association

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Lake Tippecanoe/James Lake/Oswego Lake Sediment Removal Plan Kosciusko County, Indiana

2.3

January 2013

Historical Information

The LTPO have a lengthy history of projects in and around the lakes. Table 1 represents the studies, reports and projects completed on Lake Tippecanoe. While these projects have significantly reduced the inflow of sediment from the watershed, other factors have perpetuated the need for additional dredging to protect long term water quality, fishery habitat, and passive recreational value. Table 1: Completed Studies, Reports, and Projects Study/Report/Project

Date

1 US EPA National Eutrophication Survey

Jul-1976

2 Lake Tippecanoe Diagnostic Study (LARE)

Jun-1997

3 Lake Tippecanoe Feasibility Study (LARE)

Oct-1998

4 Design Summary-Hanna B. Walker Drain Sediment Trap (LARE)

Feb-2000

5 Lake Tippecanoe Henwood Creek Restoration Project (LARE)

Oct-2000

6 Indian Creek Detention Basins (LARE)

Oct-2000

7 Lake Tippecanoe Dredge Survey Report

Jan-2001

8

Design Summary-Kuhn Ditch Tributary: Lake Tippecanoe Watershed Warner Historical Farms Restoration Feb-2002 (LARE)

9 Lake Tippecanoe Palmer Design Build Report (LARE)

May-2003

10 Langohr Sediment Trap Design Build Report-Lake Tippecanoe Watershed (LARE)

Apr-2004

11 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan (LARE)

Feb-2005

12 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan-2006 Update (LARE)

Feb-2006

13 Lake Tippecanoe Storm Drain Project (LARE)

Mar-2006

14 Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed Management Plan (LARE)

Jul-2006

15 Ecozone Feasibility-Lake Tippecanoe, Koskiusko County, Indiana (LARE)

Jan-2007

16 Littoral Zone Restoration Research 2007-2009 Year 1 report (LARE)

Dec-2007

17 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Update 2006 (LARE)

Feb-2007

18 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Update 2007 (LARE)

Feb-2008

19 Tippecanoe Chain 2008 Ecozone Survey Report (LARE)

Feb-2009

20 Littoral Zone Restoration Research 2007-2009 Year 2 report (LARE)

Feb-2009

21 Littoral Zone Restoration Research 2007-2009 Year 3 Final report (LARE)

Dec-2009

22 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Update 2009 (LARE)

Feb-2010

23 Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Update 2012 (LARE)

Feb-2013

2.4

Public Involvement

The LTPO is a voluntary organization with 722 members, representing approximately 60% of Lake Tippecanoe homeowners. Actions of the LTPO represent the interests of the membership of the organization who have opportunity to provide input and direction at organization meetings and through voting. Additionally, the LTPO is an active and supporting affiliate of the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation (TWF) which seeks to protect and preserve the quality of

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January 2013

water and aquatic resources throughout the entire watershed. All residents and users of the Tippecanoe watershed are encouraged to participate in the initiatives of the TWF. A Public Meeting was conducted on July 27, 2013 with 20 people in attendance to disclose information pertaining to the proposed sediment removal and nutrient and sediment load reduction activities. During this meeting, attendees were given the opportunity to comment on the planned activities, ask questions, and provide input on additional areas to be measured. A second Public Meeting was held September 14, 2013 with 29 people in attendance. Measured sediment amounts and locations were discussed. The potential for private channel dredging in conjunction with dredging of public areas on the lakes was discussed.

3.0

Design Criteria

Proposed dredge areas are distributed throughout the three (3) lakes. There are 18 locations identified for sediment removal which include eight private channel locations (Figure 2). Information for the sediment removal of private channels is being provided to the individual channel associations so that the groups may privately contract with the dredging company concurrently with public areas being dredged. 3.1

Sediment Characteristics

Sediment dimensions were measured July 5, July 19, and August 1, 2013. During these dates, the depth to sediment and depth to lake bottom were determined using a graduated measuring probe. Additionally, samples were collected and sent to Sherry Laboratories for analysis to determine chemical composition.

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January 2013

Figure 2: Potential Sediment Removal Areas

3.1.1

Sediment Dimensions

Eighteen geographic regions of accumulated sediment were identified by the sampling exercises. The sampling sites are shown in Figure 2. Sediment depth sampling was conducted on a grid with samples collected at intervals of 25-50 feet. At each sampling point, using a 3 inch PVC pipe marked in tenths, one reading was taken to determine the depth from the water surface to the top of the sediment bed. Subsequently, a second reading was taken to determine the depth to the native lake bottom. Sediment depth was determined for each sampling point by subtracting the first reading from the second. These measurements were used to determine the average depth of the accumulated sediment and create a generalized topographic map of the lake bottom. GPS coordinates were recorded at the sampling sites and imported into ArcGIS. These coordinates were used to measure the surface area of the accumulated sediment. Table 2 summarizes the area, average depth, and volume of the accumulated sediment.

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January 2013

Table 2. Summary of Lake Depths and Accumulated Sediment Volumes Area

Area

Area (sq. ft.)

Avg. Depth (ft.)

Volume (cu. yd.)

1

Shoshoni Inlet

(ac) 0.54

(sf) 23,457

1.9

(cy) 1650.68

2A

Channel at James Lake (east)

0.45

19,602

1.0

726.00

2B

Channel atJames Lake (west)

0.24

10,454

0.9

348.48

3A

Channel from Tippe to James Lake

1.79

78,096

2.0

5784.89

3B

Hanna B. Walker Delta Area

1.43

62,092

2.5

5749.26

4

Hanna B. Walker Inlet/Sediment

0.19

8,197

4.5

1366.16

5

Hoys Landing**

2.16

94,089

0.8

2787.84

6

Tippe Boat Company SW to Pier

0.41

17,859

1.4

926.05

7

Grassy Creek Inlet

0.81

35,401

1.5

1966.73

8

Ducunee Channel*

1.70

74,052

1.3

3565.47

9

Neibert Channel*

1.52

66,211

1.4

3433.17

10

Wildwood East Channel*

1.07

46,609

1.2

2071.52

11

Wildwood West Channel*

2.74

119,354

1.3

5746.69

12

Paton Point Inlet*

0.53

23,086

2.4

2052.16

13

Indian Creek Inlet

0.08

3,484

1.2

154.88

14

Old Mill Place (west)*

0.95

41,382

1.7

2605.53

15A

Patona Bay Channel*

.38

16,552

1.8

1103.52

15B

Patona Bay Channel North*

.99

43,124

0.8

1277.76

16

Oswego Channel**

2.37

103,237

2.5

9559.00

17A

Bellrohr Isle west

0.17

7,405

1.5

411.40

17B

Bellrohr Isle east

0.14

6,098

1.5

338.80

18

Woods Channel*

1.05

45,738

1.2

2032.80

*Denotes private channel; ** Denotes area not endorsed for dredging by IDNR

Water depths recorded at the sampling points ranged from 1 to 5 feet and sediment depths ranged from 0.5 to 5 feet. The area and average depth of the accumulated sediment were used to determine the volume of sediment to be removed. The total approximate volume of the proposed dredged areas is 45,700 cubic yards. 3.1.2

Lake Bottom Mapping

The lake depth measurements recorded on July 5, July 19, and August 1, 2013 were used to create bathymetric maps of the areas of the lake surveyed (Appendix A). The depths recorded for the top of sediment depict the current conditions, while the depths of the lake bottom depict pre-sediment topography. Lake Tippecanoe has a dual lake level, the weir is set at 836.40’ (mean sea level) and lowered to 835.90’ (mean sea level) from November 1 through April 1 every year. The lake level at the time the sediment measurements were recorded was at or slightly above the 836.40’ level.

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3.1.3

January 2013

Particle Composition

Sediment samples were visually inspected at the time of collection. Sediment was found to consist of silt/organic material and sand. Only a small amount of gravel was located at the Indian Creek inlet site. No large cobble was found at any of the sites. 3.1.4

Chemical Composition

Sediment samples were collected on September 14, 2013. A map of the locations of the sediment samples is shown in Figure 3. Samples were bagged and transported to Sherry Laboratories. Table 3 provides a summary of the lab analysis and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) land application concentration limits. Lab results are included in Appendix B.

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Table 3. Metal of Concern with Concentration Limit in mg/kg

1 2A 2B 3A 3B 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Shoshoni Channel at James Lake (east) Channel at James Lake (west) Channel from Tippe to James Lake Hanna B. Walker Delta Area Hanna B. Walker Inlet/Sediment Trap Hoys Landing Tippe Boat Company west to Pier Grassy Creek Inlet Ducunee Channel Neibert Channel Wildwood East Wildwood West Paton Point Inlet Indian Creek Inlet Old Mill Place (west) Patona Bay Channel (A&B) Oswego Channel Bellrohr Isle (A&B) Woods Channel

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12 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 7 6 5 4 3 10 11 13 13 14 2 1

75 85 3000 4300 840 57 75 420 0.971 39.6