Hudson Lake Conservation Association

Hudson Lake Conservation Association As stewards of Hudson Lake, our vision is an enduring organization that promotes a healthy, thriving,

Hudson Lake Conservation Association - 2026 Annual Membership Drive The 2026 outlook for HLCA is busy as we have signifi...
02/17/2026

Hudson Lake Conservation Association - 2026 Annual Membership Drive

The 2026 outlook for HLCA is busy as we have significant efforts planned. HLCA membership drive has kicked off! Use the QR Code below to pay your dues or donate!

A huge thank you to those who have supported us in the past! We trust more of you will join in as you can see the progress that we have made over these past few years.


Where do your membership dues and donations go?

To secure DNR Lake And River Enhancement (LARE) Grants for:
- Hudson Lake V3 Diagnostic Reports
- Annual Invasive Species Evaluations
- Sediment Removal (Dredging) Studies

To provide on-going Invasive Species Treatments:
- Since 2019, HLCA spent over $85,000 on invasive species studies and treatments - approximately $62,000 was covered by LARE grants with the balance of $23,000 covered by HLCA matching funds from dues and donations
- Additionally, we have started treatment on the Phragmites that have completely clogged several areas including the channel between land and our eagle’s island with costs $5-6,000. HLCA covers this entire amount.

As a result, we have seen significantly lower Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) populations and have kept Starry Stonewort (SSW) at bay while reducing locations where it was previously found. We’ve made great progress, but it’s our ongoing treatments that keep these invasive weeds from starving and strangling our lake.

Dredge Navigation Channels:
The DNR Public Boat Ramp and southern navigation channel of West Hudson have been dredged – providing deeper and wider navigation channels. Costs to date were approximately $170,000.
- LARE covered close to $136,000
- HLCA covered the $34,000 balance via donations from your neighbors
- Closing the sediment site will be completed in 2026 so we will be incurring additional costs

Electricity to the Park:
HLCA assisted Hudson Township in securing a $10,000 grant from Amazon Web Services (AWS). Those funds were used to bring electricity to the park.

Drain & Water Level Management via 24x7 water level monitoring and alerts through our ToltHawk measurement system. The lake is still very low because of the current multi-year drought. Our drain team will be servicing the drain gate when the weather permits. The team will also operate the opening and closing of the drain gate.

What other funding sources has HLCA sought and secured?
Last year HLCA was able to partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and secured $20,000 for the efforts (beyond electricity to the park) noted above. HLCA will continue to pursue business relationships to supplement membership dues and community donations. Please let us know if you want to join us in this effort or have any contacts that could help with this.

What have volunteers helped HLCA to accomplish for free?
Greater alliance with local officials and the DNR via lake tours and informational meetings as DNR presentation on Hudson Lake’s unique history; Working with county drainage boards to maintain Taylor ditch; Servicing of Hudson Lake Drain; Stone added and graded on Lakeshore Drive; Website design and content.

What’s next?
HLCA will continue to:
- Treat invasive species
- Complete another dredging study to identify other potential areas to dredge including the north navigation channel and channel around the eagle’s island
- Complete a second treatment for Phragmites
- Close the dredging sediment site and demobilize equipment
- Look into fire protection options such as dry hydrants
- Apply for funding for fish restocking
- And much more…

HLCA cannot fund these efforts without you – your membership dues are critical to these important activities. Dues are $50 per household, but please know that any amount larger or smaller is appreciated. Every dollar matters. You can donate via our website or scan our QR code – both noted below.
Learn more about us at: www.hlcaindiana.com

HLCA Public Meeting Minutes
11/14/2025

HLCA Public Meeting Minutes

Please Join us on November 3rd at 4:30 PM CT in the New Carlisle Public Library for a public meeting!
10/02/2025

Please Join us on November 3rd at 4:30 PM CT in the New Carlisle Public Library for a public meeting!

Hudson Lake Conservation Association – September 2025 Update We hope you took advantage of the fabulous weather we had f...
09/08/2025

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 Service! 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!



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!



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 attending 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 who 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 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.



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 ex*****on.



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

Learn more about us at: www.hlcaindiana.com



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.

07/23/2024

Hudson Lake Residents - If anyone is interested in receiving the materials from the channel dredging that will take place this fall, please provide us with your name and contact details.
John “Butch” DeGroote has agreed to accept the materials from the public boat launch and the channel that runs to his boat dock, but we need someone else to accept the material that runs along the southern channel from the west lake to the east lake.
The DNR approved contractor will be using a hydraulic suction dredge to perform this operation. A pipeline would run from the lake to your property, and a return pipeline would be installed to return any water extracted during the dredging operation, to the lake.
We would also allow residents to pick up dredge material at the DNR public boat launch should anyone be interested in that option.

Address

PO Box 48
New Carlisle, IN
46552

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hudson Lake Conservation Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category