Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio was at one time a thriving lake.
But lately, it's just the opposite, ONN's Stephanie Mennecke reported Monday.
"Just look at all the empty docks. There is all kinds of empty docks, people are pulling their boats," said Don Kane.
Kane said he's never seen the lake like this before, and it's depressing.
A report recently released to the Ohio EPA outlined problems at the lake, including algae issues and toxins.
"We advise people against swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, wave runners, those kinds of things," said Ohio EPA Spokeswoman Dina Pierce. "There is a high potential for ingestion and it's the greatest health risk."
Anytime you put restrictions on a lake, you're going to see a decline in visitors.
Local businesses have also felt the effects.
"The bait business is down I would say 75 to 85 percent," said Nancy Thornsberry, with
Grand Lake Bait and Tackle.
Thornsberry said business is slower than the night crawlers she prepares.
"They are not fishing on the lake, so the only traffic you see is people looking to fill their boxes up to go someplace else," said Thornsberry.
Pierce said the situation on the lake is serious.
"These toxins in other states have dog deaths related to this," Pierce said.
A pet death has not been reported at St. Marys, but floating fish are prominent, as is a foul odor.
"It's a very putrid smell, smells like rotten eggs," Kane said. "That is why the waterways are desolate, and the beaches empty. This is the worst I've seen it in 31 years."
Grand Lake covers 13,500 acres in Mercer and Auglaize counties and reaches an average depth of five to seven feet.
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More Information:
Grand Lake St. Marys Toxic
Algae
Grand Lake St. Marys Water Sampling Data
