Shafer & Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation

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⚙️Dredging

The dredge crew has been busy making several repairs and upgrades to the dredge in the past few weeks and hopes to be ready to start dredging soon.

Dredging for the 2026 season will continue on Lake Shafer, progressing downriver toward N Barekman Ct. The 12-inch dredge pump will remove sediments brought down from the Tippecanoe River. Please be aware of the pipeline and buoys marking the dredging zones, which are within Idle Zones enforced by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

They are also going to try and get to a few spots on Lake Freeman this year, one of which is the Snow Ditch area. The crew is not sure on the timeframe yet, but will keep everyone posted.

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🌿 Cleanup Crew

The Cleanup Crew operates on Lake Freeman and Lake Shafer using pontoon boats marked “SFLECC.” The crew helps remove debris and floating logs in heavily trafficked recreational areas for the safety of lake goers during the busy lake season.

To report large floating logs:

• Call SFLECC at (574) 583-9784 to submit a work order.
• If a tree is still attached to the shoreline, it cannot be removed due to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulations protecting fish habitats.
• Please be patient; our crew is addressing tickets in the order received.

How you can help:

• Mark hazards with an empty milk jug.
• Pick up smaller floating debris in your area.
• Do NOT dump leaves, grass clippings, or any hazardous materials into the lakes.

Your voluntary purchase of Clean Lakes Stickers helps offset Cleanup Crew expenses. Each set includes a discount card for local businesses.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our lakes clean, beautiful, and safe!

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🏡Shorefront Licenses

2026 Shorefront License applications have been mailed and are due June 1st. Standard Shorefront License holders are also able to pay at SFLECC Online Store. All other Licenses (Association, Commercial, Easement, or Specific) can be paid by mail or by calling our office at 574-583-9784.

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🛠️Shorefront Construction

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We hope everyone enjoys a safe and wonderful season on our beautiful lakes!

In March, your lakes are transitioning from Winter to Spring. The water temperature is still cold, limiting significant plant or algae growth. However, activity is starting to happen, some that you can’t necessarily see, that will impact how your lake “behaves” come Summer.  

Filamentous Algae

As temperatures warm up, early growth of bright green stringy algae called Spirogyra often appears in shallow areas. While Spirogyra, and all algae species for that matter, are essential for oxygen production when present in moderation, large blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water as it decomposes, leading to fish kills and other negative impacts on aquatic organisms. Decaying Spirogyra mats can also release nutrients into the water, contributing to eutrophication and planktonic algal blooms.

Spirogyra algae under a microscope

Spirogyra algae

Aquatic Plants

Our area’s most aggressive submerged invasive aquatic plants, especially Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Curlyleaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), start emerging in March. These plants are notorious for growing early, taking up space we would like to see occupied by native plants.

Eurasian Watermilfoil with seed head

Curlyleaf Pondweed

Emergent Plants

Cattails (Typha spp.) and bulrushes (Schoenoplectus spp.) start greening up along the shoreline. Narrow-leaf cattail is a non-native species widespread in our area.

Cattails

Floating Plants

Duckweed and Watermeal are other potential plant growth in late spring. If your lake has a history of these tiny floating plants (Lemna or Wolffia spp.), they might begin emerging as the water warms.

Duckweed and Watermeal

Duckweed, although bothersome, is a native aquatic plant to our area. It is more prevalent in inlets and bays. We understand the concern with duckweed in the Big Monon Bay on Lake Shafer. This area, specifically, was brought to the attention of SFLECC’s Aquatic Vegetation Committee. We have had several discussions with Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) about duckweed and since it is not an invasive species, they have told us “it is nature, and we have to live with it”. Furthermore, the INDNR will not give permits to treat duckweed. We need a water flow to move it along, and unfortunately, when we have little rain, there is minimal flow and it sticks around for too long.  

We have also had talks with other lake associations about this problem. They also say it is a nuisance for them, but not much they can do about it. A few of the lake associations have had some success with lake thruster devices. They are a bit expensive, but can push the duckweed downstream faster into the main lake.  As of now, this is the only option we can recommend that has had some success and is within the parameters of what INDNR allows.

Please do NOT rake or blow leaves into the lakes.

Environmental impacts of raking or blowing leaves into the lakes:

• Increased nutrient levels: Leaves contain nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that, when decomposed in water, act as a fertilizer, leading to an excess of nutrients in the lakes.
• Algae blooms: The extra nutrients can fuel the rapid growth of algae, which can clog the water and create an unpleasant, unhealthy environment.
• Decreased dissolved oxygen: When algae blooms die and decompose, the process uses up a lot of dissolved oxygen in the water, which can suffocate fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Increased weed growth: The increased nutrients can also cause excessive growth of aquatic weeds.
• Bottom sediment buildup: Leaves can accumulate on the lake bottom, creating a layer of muck that buries the natural lakebed and can be harmful to organisms living there.

How much material is being removed from the lake?

The SFLECC removes about 168 cubic yards/hour of silt material. So based on the dredge operating hours averaging 37.17/week from September thru October 2025, an estimated 6,245 cubic yards of silt material (or about 446 standard dump truck loads) have been removed from the lake.

The crew is currently dredging near the Cooper Drive area and will continue into the next few weeks (weather permitting).

Over 200 people showed up to vote for 14 candidates to fill five open positions on the Board of Directors. The meeting was delayed 30 minutes to ensure everyone had an opportunity to register and vote. Approximately 75 stayed for the meeting.

Board President Carrie Woodruff opened the meeting and defined the purpose of the SFLECC and read the mission.

Jack Werner read the slate of candidates and then read the statement regarding the board member situation.

Carrie then went through the financial statement and highlighted the big savings Co-Director & Land Manager, Owen Lovvorn, realized with insurance. She also talked about the funds recouped from treating the invasive Milfoil on Lake Shafer.

Co-Director/Land Manager Owen Lovvorn gave a complete overview of field operations, including the dredging plan for both lakes. Owen also profiled the financial expenses of maintaining and repairing the dredge and excavator. Most of the attendees were from Lake Shafer and raised concerns and questions regarding operations.

Carrie Woodruff then thanked those board members whose 2 terms were ending: Lindy Karberg, Tracey Linder, and herself, and gifts were given.

A period of Questions and Answers followed with most of the concerns being about aquatic vegetation and SFLECC/DNR’s roles in controlling it. Dredging concerns were also mentioned specifically in areas of Big Monon/Bedford Bay, Penrod Dr, Snow Ditch, and Lane Ditch. The Silt Committee is drawing up a 3-year plan to address dredging areas.   

At this point, the meeting concluded, and votes were counted by the Nominations Committee. After counting over 200 votes, the SFLECC welcomed 5 new Board Members: Joe Bauer, Todd Lemen, Mike McGuin, Kathy Rokita, and Rick Stetler. Thanks to all the candidates for running and members for attending the SFLECC Annual Meeting.

Don’t forget to come out and celebrate 100 years of Lake Freeman this Saturday!