Thank you to everyone that attended the 36th Annual Indiana Lakes Management Conference on March 20th and 21st at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville, IN.  One of the highlights of the conference is handing out our annual awards.

Bob Evans of Simonton Lake received the Volunteer of the Year Award.  Bob was instrumental in the founding of the Simonton Lake Area Homeowners Association and the Simonton Lake Conservancy District.  He has been involved with Simonton Lake since the 1990's and has supported multiple improvement projects including wastewater services, construction of a weir to regulate water levels, and dredging initiatives.  Thank you Bob!

The Outstanding Project Award went to Lake George Conservancy District (LGCD) and Lake George Cottagers Association (LGCA) for their efforts in the reconstruction of the Lake George dam.  Lake George straddles the Indiana and Michigan border with a dam on the Indiana side that was originally constructed in 1930.  The LGCD and the LGCA worked with the Lake George Legal Lake Level District in Michigan to secure grants, loans, and other funding for the needed rebuild.  Despite many funding and permitting difficulties, the project was completed in October, 2024 for $1.4 million.  Great job!

The Lake Gage - Lime Lake Association received the Outstanding Lake Association Award for their efforts in water quality monitoring including eDNA testing, aquatic weed control, lake safety, and outreach.  The lakes, located in Steuben County, have  a volunteer 69% participation rate with their residents and host a wide variety of events and activities that range from water quality monitoring projects to luminary display events to a monthly newsletter during the summer.  It is always wonderful to see so much participation from lake residents!