Although delayed until July 1, 2003, because of fish spawning season, and, hampered recently by heavy rains, the $100,000 Crooked Creek erosion control improvement construction is now completed. Sponsored by the Chapman Lakes Foundation, Inc., this project makes use of a $75,000 Lakes and River Enhancement Grant from the Indiana State Soil Conservation Board. The foundation is responsible for the 25-percent matching funds balance.

The project addressed sediment and associated nutrient loading to Big Chapman Lake from Crooked Creek. The primary goal of the project was to reduce sediment and nutrient loading from eroding stream banks on Crooked Creek and an unnamed tributary to Crooked Creek. To accomplish this goal, 1,530 linear feet of stream bank was stabilized with biologs, crib walls, soil encapsulated lifts, native plantings, check dams and refuse removal. This project was possible through the cooperation of landowners and Chapman Lakes Conservation Association.
CLCA photos below, left to right, and, top to bottom, the J. F. New and Associates environmental team, led by Brian Majka (plaid shirt) work on log cribs where erosion is a problem:

• A log, cut on site,  is selected and chained to a backhoe.
  
• Log rolled into the stream, next, pulled into position, then, like this one, will be bored for 4-foot steel anchoring pins.
  
• In many cases, rock is placed to hold back soil. Note the erosion above.
  
• A finished section will  help eliminate erosion from falling this tree. Note the fiber between the logs.
  
• Another control method utilizes fiber logs along the bank.
  

• Close-up of fiber log planted with specially grown plants from the J. F. New nursery.