Fairground Shoreline Project Moves Forward
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
Former fair board member Frank Rhodes is heading up the project for the fair board. Rhodes said the fairgrounds' shoreline along Winona Lake has been eroding over the years and the time was right to do something about it.[[In-content Ad]]"There were some places where we had lost significant amounts of shoreline," Rhodes said.
To stop the erosion, the fair board has planned a 946-foot barrier along the water. Instead of a traditional concrete seawall, the barrier will be specially bio-engineered to blend with the lakeside environment. It will be made of glacier stone with native grasses and plants growing on it.
Phase one of the project was to install what is called a stone toe, or foundation for the barrier. Warsaw contractor G&G Hauling & Excavating installed the foundation over the past few weeks. Rhodes said the cold temperatures and frozen lake made an unexpectedly ideal situation for the work.
"We were surprised how well it went," he said. "The frozen lake allowed them to get their equipment close to the shoreline. I realize how tough this job would have been if it hadn't been frozen. Equipment would have sunk in the sand and muck. It was a blessing in disguise."
Rhodes said the next step of the project will involve installing more stone to build the barrier up. Then, he said, encapsulated soil lifts - soil wrapped in fabric - will be placed on the top of the barrier and native plants and grasses will be planted.
Rhodes said he is happy with how the first phase of the project went.
"Those guys with G&G really did an excellent job," he said.
The estimated total cost of the project is $85,000. The fair board received a Lake and River Enhancement Program grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management which will cover about 75 percent of the project cost. The rest will come from the fair board, donations and volunteer labor.
Latest News
E-Editions
Former fair board member Frank Rhodes is heading up the project for the fair board. Rhodes said the fairgrounds' shoreline along Winona Lake has been eroding over the years and the time was right to do something about it.[[In-content Ad]]"There were some places where we had lost significant amounts of shoreline," Rhodes said.
To stop the erosion, the fair board has planned a 946-foot barrier along the water. Instead of a traditional concrete seawall, the barrier will be specially bio-engineered to blend with the lakeside environment. It will be made of glacier stone with native grasses and plants growing on it.
Phase one of the project was to install what is called a stone toe, or foundation for the barrier. Warsaw contractor G&G Hauling & Excavating installed the foundation over the past few weeks. Rhodes said the cold temperatures and frozen lake made an unexpectedly ideal situation for the work.
"We were surprised how well it went," he said. "The frozen lake allowed them to get their equipment close to the shoreline. I realize how tough this job would have been if it hadn't been frozen. Equipment would have sunk in the sand and muck. It was a blessing in disguise."
Rhodes said the next step of the project will involve installing more stone to build the barrier up. Then, he said, encapsulated soil lifts - soil wrapped in fabric - will be placed on the top of the barrier and native plants and grasses will be planted.
Rhodes said he is happy with how the first phase of the project went.
"Those guys with G&G really did an excellent job," he said.
The estimated total cost of the project is $85,000. The fair board received a Lake and River Enhancement Program grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management which will cover about 75 percent of the project cost. The rest will come from the fair board, donations and volunteer labor.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092