Hudson Lake Conservation Association – September 2025 Update

We hope you took advantage of the fabulous weather we had for the Labor Day weekend. It is great to spend time with family and friends – a last hoorah to summer before we enjoy the magnificent colors of autumn. 

Please read below about all the progress we’ve made as well as things to celebrate. You can also catch up on things through the HLCA website.

Here are the topics covered:

• Another Amazon Grant for our lake!

• Partnership with Hudson Township to Secure an Amazon Grant for the Park

• Welcome to our new HLCA Board Member 

• LARE Grants

• Sediment Removal Update

• Lake Levels and Drain Management

• Membership drive – your support is more important than ever

• Merchandise Available on Website

• Volunteer! 

Amazon Grant

Woohoo! Our project was awarded additional funding from the Amazon Open Grant Indiana Fund, supported by Amazon Web Services! Overall, we have secured $20,000 toward Hudson Lake conservation efforts. We have been able to apply these funds to invasive species treatment (EWM and SSW) and dredging for the public ramp and southern channel. Both required extra funding due to lower 2025 LARE grants, as well as completion of expensive efforts as dredging. We are grateful for this strong partnership with Amazon’s commitment to support surrounding communities!  Thanks to ChangeX too! #AWSInCommunities

Partnership with Hudson Township to Secure an Amazon Grant for the Park

HLCA collaborated with Hudson Township to seek Amazon grants for projects on the township’s wish list. The township applied for a grant to Energize the Park – bringing electricity to the community park. The application resulted in a $10,000 grant from the Amazon Open Grant Indiana Fund! Work orders have been signed, and the project has begun. Soon the park will enjoy lighting! We hope the partnerships between Hudson Township, HLCA and Amazon can bring even more improvements to our community and lake. Thanks again to ChangeX too! #AWSInCommunities

Welcome to our new HLCA Board Member

In August, Austin Kosinski joined the HLCA Board as a Board Member-at-Large. He will be managing our social media – Facebook and Instagram – among other things. Welcome!

Austin is the trustee of Hudson Civil Township, where he oversees services like park care, cemetery upkeep, and poor relief. A Purdue business graduate and lifelong resident, he was appointed trustee after serving on the township board. He uses what free time there is to clean up the park, coordinate improvements such as the incoming lights and electrical outlets at the park, and attend regular fire territory and township board meetings, which he uploads to HudsonTownshipTrustee’s YouTube channel. Austin lives in Hudson Township with his wife and two young children, and is an avid gardener, beekeeper, and homesteader. Austin is the one we must thank for the Amazon grant. He applied for and secured the Energize the Park grant from Amazon, noted above. 

LARE Grants

The LARE program awarded a $11,500 grant for which HLCA is responsible for matching this with 20% ($2,300). Since treatment of SSW is capped at $5,000, our outlay did exceed the 20% level. It was almost 30%. Most of the LARE grant has been spent on a vegetation level 2 survey, one EWM treatment and 2 SSW treatments. A third SSW treatment may be required – that entire cost would be the burden of HLCA because of the SSW LARE cap. 

Sediment removal 

The sediment removal for site 1 – the channel for the public ramp – has been completed. The DNR took depth measurements, and the work was deemed complete. Site 4 – the southern channel – dredging has begun. Passage through the northern channel is available for boaters. The southern channel is closed currently. 

Please know, in 2026, HLCA is going to apply for another sediment removal plan, which will look at other areas for dredging, such as the north channel. The dredging grants pay for navigation channels – not private residences. However, a channel may be identified that traverses resident properties. These may or may not alleviate private dredging costs. 

Lake Levels and Drain Management

The drain remains closed. Hudson Lake is extremely low, measuring an inch or more below the weir. This is well below the 17+ inch-high we had in May 2024. We need rain! The lake levels are available on the HLCA website via the ToltHawk link. 

There have been complaints about boats getting stuck in muck and the inability to keep boats by residents’ piers due to the low water levels. There have also been complaints of Phragmites which appear to be spreading in some areas around the lake – having the water level so low is exposing the lakebed for this to occur. HLCA has been unsuccessful in seeking out LARE funding but is pursuing other options. Costs to treat 2 identified locations is $5-6,000.  

REMINDER: The Drain Management Agreement between the DNR and HLCA was signed and is in effect. The HLCA drain team will be managing the opening and closing of the drain gate point forward. Besides our website, we now have a phone number for reporting any lake level issues. 

Please report any lake level issues by calling: 219-206-1259 OR Report any issue via the HLCA website’s event/status reporting page.

Both will be monitored and responded to as soon as possible.

Membership Drive

Our 2025 membership drive continues. The suggested contribution is $50 per family, but any amount is appreciated. Besides treating invasive species and dredging, HLCA is looking to lease a USGS lake level measuring device, like one that used to be on Hudson Lake years ago. It also provides precipitation, weather and other information that is recognized by legal entities. With the help of membership dues and business support, as Amazon has provided, we can take advantage of this state-of-the-art equipment. 

Use the QR Code below to pay your dues or donate!

A huge thank you to those who have sent in dues and donations! 

We invite the rest of you to join in and help us keep Hudson Lake healthy and thriving.

As HLCA continues to extend its dredging efforts and manage the Hudson Lake drain valve, more funds are needed. Any amount you can give towards these important endeavors is appreciated. All donations/dues are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Please know that to ease this burden on the community, HLCA will continue to reach out to local businesses to supplement our financial gaps.

Merchandise Available on Website

We have some fun Hudson Lake merchandise for you! Travel mugs, coffee mugs, hoodies, hats, and t-shirts. Check it out!

Volunteer! 

As you can see, HLCA has a lot of efforts underway and welcomes the community to get involved. We are seeking one more board member. We work to be efficient by keeping the number of board meetings manageable. Project updates are shared via email. On the whole, board members can choose the depth of their involvement with projects. We need individuals who can help lead/guide projects. Most projects and teams have a solid foundation; others could use more detailed planning, oversight, and execution.

It takes a village to keep a lake safe, healthy, and enjoyable. Please sign up on our website or send us an email: info@hlcaindiana.com. We’d be happy to discuss the board positions and our projects in more detail, as well as answer any of your questions.

Hudson Lake Conservation Association Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (Federal Tax Number 26-2891748). All charitable gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. 

Dredging the southern channel.

When water levels get too shallow, the lakebed is exposed to whatever chooses to plant itself there! ☹