Funds are being raised to benefit the Webster Lake Dam Conservancy project. The funds will help fund immediate repairs to the dam, legal fees and engineering expenses.

News Release

NORTH WEBSTER — Webster Lake Conservation Association has received two donation match offers and a prize drawing benefiting the Webster Lake Dam Conservancy project.

Local businesses have offered to match tax deductible donations to the conservancy project dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,750 through Aug. 5.

Additionally, an anonymous couple, owning property on Webster Lake, will match tax-deductible donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000 through Sept. 30.

WLCA has a $200,000 goal to help fund immediate repairs to the Webster Lake Dam, pay associated current legal and engineering expenses necessary to make those repairs and establish a tax-funded conservancy district to be responsible for future repairs and long-term maintenance of the dam.

The request for charitable funding is being directed to all lake area residents and businesses regardless of WLCA membership. The value of property and business will be negatively affected in the event of a catastrophic failure of the dam or a mandated drawdown of the lake level to avert a failure. There are approximately 80 homes and businesses in the inundation area below the dam that could experience loss of life and/or property in the event of a total dam failure.

As of July 22, $113,234 of the stated goal has been received toward the project. The campaign began Feb. 28. Approximately 34 local businesses have supported the project so far.

WLCA is suggesting the size of a donation be in relationship to the potential loss in value to property or business. Those who have not contributed or who may have under contributed are encouraged to consider an additional donation during the matching funds offer.

TWF has established a restricted fund for the receipt of tax-deductible donations to the project. TWF is a not-for-profit entity with a 501(c)(3) tax status. TWF will confirm donations in writing and will hold donations and apply them to expenses for the project.

Donations may be made online to TWF at tinyurl.com/WebsterLakeDam, through a link on the WLCA website at lakewebster.net/twf-donate.php or through a link on the WLCA Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/342088493575948.

Donations may also be made by personal check or the administrator of an Individual Retirement account, which offers tax savings if required to take a required minimum distribution from an IRA account.

Checks should be made payable to The Watershed Foundation, and contain a written notation in the memo line or accompanied with a written note the check is for the Webster Dam Project. Checks should be mailed to: The Watershed Foundation, c/o Lake City Bank, P.O. Box 1671, Warsaw, IN 46581-1671.

More information regarding the project can be found on the WLCA website or Facebook page.

Charter Cruise

The Board of Directors for The Dixie Sternwheeler Inc., has donated a private charter cruise on the historic Dixie Sternwheeler toward the effort. The cruise will be given to one lucky individual, 18 years of age or older, who will be randomly selected from among individuals making a single or multiple donations toward the project totaling $200 or more.

The prize is subject to Dixie Sternwheeler charter cruise times and availability. The winner will be announced when the $200,000 campaign goal is reached.