High Lake Channel Dredging Project Details

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College has been working on the High Lake Channel Dredging Project, an effort to improve water flow and increase boating access through the channel to High Lake.

Contractors arrived on site on September 23, 2026, and began preparations. Dredging began on September 27, following authorization under the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Water permit.

Project Update – November 4, 2026

The High Lake Channel Dredging Project is nearing completion!

During the first week of November, McCullough Excavating and Silt Removal completed the removal of the contracted 3,200 cubic yards of sediment from the High Lake Channel. Dredging extended to the final bend before the straightaway leading into High Lake.

To help ensure unobstructed boating access through the remaining straightaway, Merry Lea contributed an additional $5,000 to cover the removal of any downed trees or other debris blocking the channel.

Contractors have now completed their work for the season and will return in the at a later date when the area has dried to close the sediment basin.

Once equipment has been removed, Merry Lea will take down the barricades at the end of Stone Street and the associated posted signage. At that time, the channel will be open to boat traffic again!

We are grateful for the patience and cooperation of High Lake residents and visitors throughout the project.

How the Project Works

McCullough Excavating and Silt Removal conducted the dredging operation using a barge and excavator. The barge was launched near the South Gate of the Luckey’s Landing portion of Merry Lea’s property.

Sediment was removed from the channel by excavator and transported by barge to the launch site. It was then unloaded into trucks and hauled to a designated disposal area on Merry Lea property.

The disposal site is located across the lane, accessed through Mark East’s property, on the west side of the Shew Track of Merry Lea’s property. This is the same area used for sediment disposal when the channel was last dredged approximately 30 years ago.

The disposal area is on private property and will remain closed to the public.

Project Funding and Community Support

In 2025, Merry Lea received estimates for deepening and widening the High Lake outlet channel [Site 1, above] and secured a contract with McCullough Excavating for the work.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources awarded Merry Lea an $80,000 Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grant toward the sediment removal project. The remaining project costs are being shared by Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College and the High Lake community.

In the spring of 2025, Merry Lea pledged $24,000 toward the project and invited the High Lake community to contribute an additional $24,000. Twenty-seven community donors contributed a total of $18,035.

Merry Lea covered the remaining $5,965 needed to meet the community’s pledged share. In addition, at the conclusion of the dredging work, Merry Lea contributed another $5,000 toward the removal of downed trees and other debris that could obstruct boating access through the remaining straightaway.

In total, Merry Lea contributed $34,965 toward the High Lake Channel Dredging Project, in addition to the $80,000 LARE grant awarded by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the $18,035 from the community.

We are grateful to the 27 community donors whose generosity helped make this project possible, as well as to everyone who supported the effort through their patience and cooperation.

For questions about the project, please contact Mark East (High Lake) or Freya Berntson (Merry Lea).