Marshall and Fulton counties among those with grants to clean up lakes, streams

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:07 AM

By Staff report

Seventeen Indiana counties are getting nearly $1.5 million in grants to help clean up lakes and streams across the state.

The money will fund 48 projects aimed at keeping Indiana's waterways in good shape.

Fifteen projects focused on removing sediment and logjams will get $1,040,900. Those are spread across 11 counties including Benton, Daviess, Hamilton, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Steuben, Sullivan, and Vanderburgh counties.

The larges grant, $100,000, was given to Lake Maxinkuckee in Marshall County.

Another $444,060 will help fight invasive aquatic plants in 33 waterbodies across 11 counties including Fulton, Gibson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, Noble, Porter, Starke, Steuben, and White. $24,000 was granted to Lake of the Woods, and $11,800 to Four Lakes along with $4500 for Myers Lake in Marshall County.

$1500 will go to Lake Manitou in Fulton County.

The grants come from a fee boat owners pay each year when they register their boats.

Local groups cover at least 20% of the cost.

The sediment and logjam removal projects clear out debris near inlets and channels, making it easier for boaters to get around. The work also helps prevent bank erosion.

The invasive plant control grants tackle aggressive non-native species that can take over and crowd out native plants.