I stopped by Sweetwater Dam and talked to one of the employees doing "boring" in the dam. This is in preparation for preliminary work addressing the Sweetwater Spillway. He had positive comments about the results of the "boring samples" and the condition of the dam. At today's site, they were at 140 feet down and had hit rock. Otherwise they had encountered
The sound of rocks hitting your roof then rolling off....the "plops" in the water near the shore......it's acorns! Be careful walking on an incline.....it's like walking on marbles! It is an acorn year. Seems like every other year the oak trees produce acorns. This year's crops are outstanding! If you have a hickory tree, it's even worse. Hickory nuts can dent the metal of a car!
Sunday, September 20th was the last 90 degree day of late. Many people took advantage of the warm weather and warm water. Swimmers, kayaks, boats, kids swinging on rope swings, t'was great. Monday the 21st brought 60 degree weather and and overcast skies.
There have been numerous new boats appear on the lakes this summer. I've noticed a number of new 150 HP pontoons on both lakes. One group of new boats that have peaked my interest is 3 new vintage Starcraft "retro" boats powered by 25 HP Mercury motors. Looks like the owners are having fun with them.
September brings the best weather and enjoyment of the lakes. Labor Day weekend was absolutely the best!
For quite a few years I've been doing "water clarity" tests and water samples for the Indiana Clean Lakes project funded by grants at Indiana University. (GO IU!) Approximately 45 lakes in Indiana participated in the 2026 sampling. This year the water clarity test have been a bit disappointing I think because of so much rain. Finally yesterday, I did a test and the black and white disc disappeared at 20 feet. Pretty good! If you want printed results, you can stop at Sweetwater Realty and ask for a free copy.
The long anticipated day finally arrived! Lots of work from volunteers and helpers all over. Sweetwater Beach was busy with food trucks, boat displays, business tents, silent auction, CSLOA merchandise for sale, bands, and lots of people. An afternoon shower brought many inside but lots of swimmers stayed in the water! The ski cleared up in the evening for the annual terrific fireworks display.
I just couldn't resist! Out on the lake yesterday and noticed a new boat on the lake. Then boated around to the backside of Eagle Drive and there's another one! Stopped and talked to the owner. These two identical boats are 1950's Starcraft aluminum boats and
Hot weather and beautiful water on both Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes. Cordry Lake enjoyed the annual Poker Run and Boat Parade and Sweetwater was super busy with boat, tubes, and swimmers.
Wednesday evening July 1st, 2026. The Angler's Club launching ready to go hunting the largest Bass!
There's been lots of chatter on Facebook about the Koi recently caught on the north end of Sweetwater Lake. This carp has been around for nearly a couple of decades. Rumor is that during the flood of 2008, a local resident had a Koi pond and it overflowed into the lake. This particular fellow has appeared for many years at various locations around the lake but mainly in the shallow areas on the north end of Sweetwater. Many post suggest that this species is invasive and not good for the lake.
Both Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes were treated for lake weeds on June 3rd and June 4th. In previous years a company was contracted to do the weeding. The Conservancy decided to assign that jobe to Nick Johann and employees. He as seen going around the shoreline with a liquid spray on both days. ( I think it used to be a granular product) A few years ago activity on the lake being treated was halted for that day......not so in more recent times. The lakes were not closed to activity during the weeding process.
Memorial Day was properly named! After additional rains Cordry with its new spillway was back to "green" for the Memorial Day celebration. Not so at Sweetwater Lake. It was red into the weekend and then did turn Yellow for slow no wake activity. Summer like weather has now appeared and both lakes are busy with family fun and rides.
Memorial Day Weedend was a bit slow on Sweetwater Lake. It was Red no boats on Saturday and opened up to Yellow on Sunday and Monday. This did allow for pontooners, kayakers, and paddleboarders. Sunday excitement on Sunday when a huge oak tree decided to flop over into the lake on the north end of Sweetwater!
The flags on Sweetwater Dam are up and the dams on both Cordry and Sweetwater are freshly mowed. The area is ready for Memorial Day weekend but mother nature has more rain in store for us! High water on Sweetwater and possibly Cordry may limit fun on the lakes this weekend.
Sweetwater Lake remains on Yellow since last Wednesday, May 6th due to a 3 inch rain storm. I'm experienced (old) and don't remember it taking this long to get rid of water and back to normal pool level. I personally checked the spillway today and it is clear and flowing. Cordry Lakes new spillway system is great! Always on green!
Work is supposed to begin on Monday, April 7th, 2026 on the Sweetwater boat launch ramp. "Power loading" of boats on trailers has created a large hole at the end of the ramp. Longer pontoon trailers fall off the end of the ramp into the "hole." The existing ramp was installed in September of 2013.
Early morning visitor today on the north end of Sweetwater Lake. Hopefully the lake will go "green" in the next day or two. It has been "red" or "yellow" for over two weeks. The weather this week has been snowing and windy. The weatherman promises a warm next few days.
Don't forget the annual CSLOA Chili Cookoff on Saturday, March 14th at the clubhouse.
Four inches of rain last week flooded both Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes. An additional 2 inches by Saturday added to the flood levels especially in southern Indiana. Cordry went "green" on Friday but Sweetwater remains "red." The new spillway system on Cordy allows for speedier drawdown for lake levels. Sweetwater services a larger watershed area resulting in a longer high water period.
