A Lake Community Hopes for Cleaner Water
39 views · Published 12 July 2012 · 1:33 · Indexed 12 November 2026
Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2012 · News & Politics
ST. MARYS -- When toxic algae took over Grand Lake St. Marys a few years ago, it also chased away visitors from the popular tourist community. Now, the community hopes to grow, again. Melissa Whited has lived in St. Marys her entire life. As she stood on the lake's shoreline Wednesday afternoon, Whited yearned for the lake she grew up on. "The first time I can remember coming out was when I was 4-years-old. I want it to improve. I want to see it back the way it was when I can remember it," she said.Dan Manning felt the same way on Wednesday. He owns the largest fishing and marine shop in St. Marys. Since the toxins took over, he has had to consolidate from two stores down to one. "When you are in a resort area like this half your business comes from out-of-towners, so it's devastating when that half leaves. The nicest restaurant in town was right around the corner and when they shut down, that was tough because that's all we had," said Manning.A recreational advisory is still in effect at the lake. People are advised not to drink the lake water and to wash off right after swimming in it. But, toxic levels are down and more and more people have been fishing, boating, and swimming in the lake.
