Keith Ervin and his 10-year-old daughter Josephine, both of Greenford, spend Tuesday afternoon fishing at Guilford Lake State Park, taking advantage of the great August weather. Next year there will be no fishing or boating on the lake due to a dam rehabilitation project requiring the draining of the water, with a loss of fish expected. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — Anglers who fish at Guilford Lake will need to find a different spot to cast a line next year — the lake will be off-limits due to a dam rehabilitation project that will drop the water to an extremely low level in 2026.

The project is part of an ongoing initiative by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to make sure dams under the agency’s purview comply with modern dam safety standards, according to ODNR Press Secretary Karina Cheung.

“This project will increase the safety of the dam by replacing the spillway and modifying the embankment to increase stability and provide seepage control measures,” she wrote.

Plans call for gradually lowering the water level beginning in September, with construction anticipated to begin in late fall of 2025 and continuing until completion in the spring of 2027.

“ODNR is committed to make every effort to maintain this proposed schedule however with any major construction project, the potential for delays exists during permitting, construction, and reservoir re-fill,” she wrote.

Competitive public bidding is expected to occur this fall to select the contractor. The construction has an estimated price tag of $16 million.

When asked what the draining of the lake will mean for the fish or wildlife and what’s being done to ease the effect, Cheung responded, “The ODNR Division of Wildlife is collaborating with the project team and will be monitoring the extent of fish loss throughout the project. Wildlife staff have developed a plan for fish restocking when the pool level is restored including reestablishing fisheries within the lake. The drawdown is expected to have minimal impact on other organisms such as frogs, turtles, and snakes which will be able to relocate as water levels change.”

When asked if any dredging will be done to clean up areas while the water level is down, she wrote, “Due to funding and permitting constraints, this project will focus on dam safety related improvements and does not include dredging.”

During a meeting of the Guilford Lake Civic Association in June, Guilford Lake State Park Manager Karl Mattern explained the project to members. At the association’s meeting last week, a synopsis of that discussion was read from the minutes noting the most recent dam remediation was in 1983, so “if there’s a maximum flood, we’re in trouble.”

The project will include replacement of the spillway, embankment excavation and site improvements. The lake will be closed during construction, with the water drawdown beginning Labor Day and continuing into mid January. The project will be substantially complete by winter 2026. There will be significant fish loss.

During the most recent meeting, Mattern said there will be a dedicated dam construction website that residents can visit to check on the progress of the project. He said the water level will go down 21 feet, leaving anywhere from 3 to 5 feet or less of water in the lake. No one will be allowed on the lake. The full drawdown is expected by the end of January. He explained that they’ll release 1 foot of water per week and noted if it’s done too quickly, the soil doesn’t have time to draw the water out.

When asked about the project, Guilford Lake Civic Association President Bob Gause said he understands the need for the project, but his concern deals with the timing since bids aren’t out yet.

“Don’t go through all this taking the water out of the lake if not in a position to work,” he said.

Gause admitted with the water level down, the restaurants and businesses that rely on the lake will be hurt. They rely on the summer months.

A resident questioned what if no contractors bid on the project, but Mattern said a number of contractors will be interested. He said the plans are closer to 100 percent complete and bids will be sought this fall.

Curtis Wagner, ODNR Fisheries Management Supervisor for District 3, which includes Columbiana County, was the guest speaker for the association meeting and gave a presentation on fisheries management, the Division of Wildlife, a case study on Shreve Lake where a similar project just finished and early thoughts on Guilford Lake. He explained that the pillars of inland fisheries management deal with doing fish assessments, fishing regulations and stocking strategies.

The Shreve Lake renovation took two years and involved a complete redo of the earthen dam and gradual restocking of the fish which is still happening. Fish can come from inland fisheries and state hatcheries.

Wagner said no fisheries decision has been finalized for Guilford Lake. He said there’s a lot to consider and they’re gun shy about trying to move fish or relocate them, due to disease.

“I would expect to see for awhile a lot of dead fish,” he said.

A fisheries re-establishment plan will be developed to restock Guilford Lake once the project is finished, with frequent post-stocking assessments. A resident asked how long it will take to get back to the condition the lake is now, with Wagner responding it could take a decade, but initially about three years.

When asked why not open the lake up for free fishing for the next month, he said not enough people would do it to make a difference for removing fish. Another person asked if plans called for the use of a fish-killing chemical. He said they’ll be looking at that, but nothing’s been decided at this point. He did say if it’s used, it will break down before restocking.

Mattern said he’s working on signage to post all over the lake to warn people that being on the lake is prohibited during the project.

On Aug. 23, the association will host the light up boat parade. Mattern announced that the new kayak launch is open near the boat launch. He also said the campground will be closed during the winter months.

Also during the meeting, Angie Westenbarger talked briefly about the beautification society working with ODNR to spruce up flower beds, with six flower beds altogether. She said they could use some help with watering right now and said volunteers are welcome.

mgreier@mojonews.com