It’s All About the Water

Bringing life to Buckeye Lake

Though the community was dealt a serious blow when problems with its dam were brought to light earlier this year, Buckeye Lake is now looking toward a bright future.

Major improvements over the next few years are designed to do more than just restore the community to the way it was before the problems with the dam forced the state to put restrictions in place. Eventually, they will result in a Buckeye Lake that is stronger, healthier, deeper, cleaner, wider, more easily navigable, friendlier to boaters and the environment, and, importantly, safer.

“It gives us – as a community and as the Buckeye Lake region – the opportunity to look into the future two or three years and say, ‘What is it we want Buckeye Lake to look like?’” says state Sen. Jay Hottinger, a Newark Republican who has been a legislative leader on the Buckeye Lake improvements.

A cornerstone of the new-and-improved Buckeye Lake will be Snug Harbor, a resort-style waterfront village. Snug Harbor’s grand opening took place in June 2009, but completion was waylaid by the recession.

 “We’re a waterfront village, which is different from any other village in central Ohio,” says Snug Harbor developer Marty Finta.

The Dam Dilemma

A drive of about 30 minutes from Columbus, Buckeye Lake straddles three counties: Fairfield, Licking and Perry. But it’s much more than just a central Ohio amenity; its appeal is statewide, and that means restoring it is paramount, says Hottinger.

“I tell people that there’s nothing more ‘Buckeye’ than Buckeye Lake,” he says.

In March, the Army Corps of Engineers discovered major structural deficiencies in the Buckeye Lake dam. Had no changes been made, the dam was likely to fail, which would cause serious damage to homes and businesses and endanger the lives of thousands of residents.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has been working with Gov. John Kasich and the state legislature to develop a plan to replace the dam entirely. While that plan is being formulated, water levels in the lake have been kept low, at the depth typically reserved for winter, and construction of structures that go directly into the dam has been stopped.

The whole project is an investment of $150 million.

Current estimates place the completion of the dam and full restoration of water levels at three to five years out, though indications seem to be that the end result will be closer to three years than five.

“Everybody at the state is doing everything in their power to expedite it and to make the process happen as quickly as it possibly can,” Hottinger says. “While you don’t want to get into a situation where you’re over-promising and under-delivering … I think that the three-year time period is really what we’re going to be seeing.”

Hottinger has been impressed by the pace the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has set in dealing with the dam problems and is encouraged that it may mean a shorter timeline, he says.

“Gov. Kasich and state Sen. Jay Hottinger responded to the issue promptly and decisively,” Finta says. “That (demonstrated) the commitment that the state of Ohio had made to Buckeye Lake and that, over appropriate time, the state would have a plan to execute its goals for Buckeye Lake.”

Finta mentions the dredging program as an example of an encouraging sign – the move will open up deeper water to those who use the lake for recreation, and will carve out passageways making the deep water and amenities such as the marinas easier to access – and believes the state is evaluating all new information as it comes in to make any possible adjustments and minimize the necessary short-term pain. The more residents and business owners know about the state’s plans, the more easily they can make and alter their own, he says.

“There are a lot of powerful, successful people who live in and visit Buckeye Lake, and I’m confident that the leaders, business owners and landowners will come together, self-help and work with ODNR and the state of Ohio to make Buckeye Lake the crown jewel,” says Finta.

ODNR has been working with engineering firms to obtain creative ideas for fixing the lake’s problems on an accelerated schedule. It was expected to select a firm for the work in later June.

“We’ve told (firms) to think outside the box and come up with some good ideas with public safety  in mind,” says ODNR Communications Director Bethany McCorkle.

Keeping Buckeye Lake vital through the repairs and reconstruction is a key component to all the improvement plans, to ensure it remains strong once the new dam is in place. It has all the ingredients for continued success, and just needs to be kept viable, which is exactly what the state’s plans will accomplish, Finta says.

“(Ohio) doesn’t have oceans, mountains or an abundance of rivers,” Finta says. “Our natural resources are Lake Erie, inland lakes, rivers, streams and creeks.”

Unexpected as the dam deficiencies were, the state’s rapid response to them has put Buckeye Lake ahead of the curve on repairs, while some other Ohio bodies of water face problems of their own.

The 177-year-old lake’s best days are ahead, Hottinger says.

“The overall story is one of great opportunity,” he says.

Snug Harbor Surges Forward

Despite the problems posed by the sudden need to repair the dam, Snug Harbor is moving ahead, and the vision for the roughly $80 million development remains the same.

“The vision for Snug Harbor is well thought out, and we plan to execute and build out Snug Harbor as originally designed,” says Finta. “Moving forward, our plans are to create life at Snug Harbor.”

“Andy Wolfe’s vision, abilities and financial commitment to Buckeye Lake was responsible for the resurgence of Buckeye Lake and the beautiful homes – not just in Heron Bay, but around the lake,” Finta says. “Now the vision and financial commitment by the state of Ohio’s leaders will be responsible for another resurgence of Buckeye Lake.”

 “Water is magical,” Finta says. “There is something about water that brings families together – parents with their children, as well as their grandchildren, old friends and new friends.”

As the state works to fix the dam, the Snug Harbor team will start the build-out of the village and community amenities. These include a swimming pool, cabanas, a basketball court, tennis courts, part of the boardwalk, a fishing pier and a village green with an open-air pavilion.

“These components that will be built will create the fabric of the village and bring life to the current residents, lot owners, future residents and the public,” Finta says.

The pavilion and village green will be of substantial size to allow for entertainment and concerts, including national-level smooth jazz shows, farmers’ markets, wine tastings, ice cream socials, car and boat shows, and similar events.

Though it contains a substantial residential component, Snug Harbor is a public-private partnership, so visitors will be able to take advantage of the amenities just as much as residents will, Finta says. And everyone will be able to appreciate the lake views, even those who never get out on the water.

Finta has also been impressed by the progress being made in Buckeye Lake.

“Each week, each month, it gets better,” he says.

Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

This is the beginning of a series on the restoration of Buckeye Lake and the development of the Snug Harbor community. Check out future issues of CityScene for more.