Wetland to replace one historic reservoir in Oberlin, sidestepping ODNR

This story has been edited to correct a quote from Kelley Singleton. OBERLIN — A reservoir will be mostly drained to become a new wetland full of trees, birds, turtles and other life, City Council decided earlier this week. Generations of Oberlin residents have enjoyed hiking and bird-watching around two Morgan Street reservoirs. But maintenance problems there nearly two years ago drew the attention of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which lowered the hammer and demanded repairs that could have cost in the $1 million range. "Doing nothing is not an option, so it's not just an exercise in spending tax money," said Councilman Kelley Singleton. Council has opted for a $300,000 plan to transform the site, which long ago provided Oberlin's drinking water but is now a recreational spot. The ODNR regulates the reservoirs as one "controlled dam," even though they are separated by a thin stretch of land. That strip is not sound enough for them to be regulated separately, according to engineer Julie Lawson of Environmental Design Group. The solution: Drastically lowering the water level in the westernmost reservoir will remove the property from state oversight, she said. That plan is the least expensive of three alternatives EDG proposed last year. Lawson said it will also increase the water quality and allow more trees to be planted, drawing more wildlife. But don't imagine the site as becoming a swamp. "There is this perception that wetlands bring mosquitoes, that the idea of them visually tend to be cattails, and that's not what we're talking about here," Lawson said. In a work session Monday prior to City Council's vote, a number of area residents said they are excited there will still be open water, and happy the site will remain a place where people can stay in touch with nature and go fishing. There are many more decisions to be made on Morgan Street: what types of trees to plant, whether to install trails, whether the remaining reservoir will be stocked with fish, the possibility of educational or historical signs and more. "Input from the community is vital in this," said Lawson. "This is your project, and we're just here to help make it happen. This isn't the end of the discussion." Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewsp apers.com.