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S.C.L.I.A. History
In 1984, concerned with the presence of weed and algae growth in the lake, a group of Shipshewana lake residents began meeting to discuss options for lakequality improvement. A task force was formed in 1988 to focus on identifying and filling out lake improvement forms. As a result of this task force a grant was received from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Enhancement program to fund a feasibility study of Shipshewana
Lake.
The International Science and Technology Institute completed the study in 1989, and
the LaGrange Park Board agreed to improve the Shipshewana Lake Park.
Between 1992 and 1998, SCLIA continued water quality testing and planning for
the restoration project. In 1997, a permit was obtained to complete dredging of Shipshewana Lake. In 1998, shoreline stabilization was completed and dredging began. Dredging was completed in 2000. Also in 2000, testing for E.Coli began.
In 2001 SCLIA organized the first Goose Round-up in an effort to reduce the goose population on Shipshewana Lake. Goose round-ups are organized every few years, keeping the goose population from getting out of control.
Utilizing funds from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake and
River Enhancement (LARE) program, eleven acres of the lake were treated for invasive weeds in 2006. In 2007, the entire lake was treated for invasive weeds species through a LARE grant. Unfortunately, LARE funding was diverted by Governor Mitch Daniels in
2009 and treatment for invasive weeds was discontinued.