Koontz Lake (pictured) is a 346-acre lake located in Stark and Marshall Counties in north central Indiana. In 1932, a ditch was constructed to improve drainage of the agricultural fields. The ditch emptied into Koontz Lake bringing sediments and nutrients. The reduced depth, high algal productivity and associated oxygen depletion result in a degraded fishery. Starting in 1988, a partnership between the State and a local group, the Koontz Lake Environmental Enhancement Committee constructed a series of 11 energy dissipating drop structures, 2 sediment traps and a nutrient filtering wetland. The sedimentation and nitrification problems were essentially stopped. However, the in-lake sediments were continuing to degrade the habitat every time the sediments were re-suspended by wind induced waves or motor boat prop wash. The study recommended dredging the non-consolidated sediments in the 3`- 7`contours. This would minimize re-suspension of nutrients and associated deoxygenation, and improve water clarity allowing a more desirable fishery. The proposed project is currently in the Plans and Specifications phase with a scheduled FY 2000 initiation of construction.

Sites in the Great Lakes region that are currently under study for aquatic ecosystem restoration with this authority are summarized: