Lyn Crighton, TWF executive director, left, and Dr. Terry Frederick, TWF president and past WLCA president, accepted the Indiana Lakes Management Society’s Project of the Year Award on behalf of WLCA.

NORTH WEBSTER — Webster Lake Conservation Association is the recent recipient of the 2017 Indiana Lakes Management Society’s Project of the Year Award, one of the highest honors in the state bestowed to lake and conservation associations.

ILMS promotes the understanding and comprehensive management of Indiana lakes and reservoirs and their watershed ecosystems. The annual conference provides a forum and technical assistance network for information sharing; assists with development of lake restoration and protection programs, policies, and legislation; and encourages local and statewide organization cooperation.

WLCA was nominated by its partner The Watershed Foundation for its extensive work on Kline Island. Founded in 1950, WLCA serves residents of Webster Lake in North Webster.

Along with controlling weeds, organizing lake events, and managing lake levels, WLCA has recently undertaken the very large responsibility to ensure the future of its islands. In the words of WLCA volunteer Michael Wyrick, “The majority of the islands on Webster Lake are melting away.”

Kline Island is the largest of the islands on the lake. Even so, it is not immune to the onslaught of weather and wake. It was estimated in the last 12 year period, Kline Island has become 25 feet narrower than it was.

TWF, WLCA, the United Methodist Epworth Church Camp (owner of Kline Island), and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources entered into an agreement to protect Kline Island’s shoreline by adding glacial stones and planting natural vegetation where needed with generous contributions from the IDNR LARE program.

Ten WLCA volunteers even contributed directly — working for four hours on Webster Lake’s Kline Island in frigid November temperatures, planting close to 1,000 plants and seeding the area.

The shoreline improvements are being done in 300 foot increments and are subject to permits and participatory grant funding.

Not only is this project saving Webster Lake’s largest island, but it also reduces the pollution inputs into the lake and watershed. Sediment from the eroding island is reduced by 63.8 tons per year and phosphorus, the nutrient needed to grow weeds, reduced by 54.2 pounds per year..This project alone prevents 540,000 pounds of weeds and algae per year.