Ohio Department of Natural Resources

What led to this audit?

Ensuring Ohio’s lakes remain safe and navigable for boats is a responsibility that falls primarily on ODNR. Through the Department’s Dredge Program, sediment and other materials are removed from Ohio’s lakes to allow for recreational boating.

Over the past several years, there have been news stories regarding lakes that were deemed unsafe due to water conditions. This audit was initiated to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department’s Dredge Program so that Ohioans can maximize the use of our waterways.

What did we find?

The Department generally lacks the data necessary to make strategic plans relating to the Dredge Program. Rather than actively planning future dredge activities, the Dredge Program relies on complaints to set annual program goals and objectives. Without basic information regarding costs and performance, we found that it was not possible to effectively or transparently conduct dredge activities.

The Department will need to improve overall data collection and utilization relating to the Dredge Program in future years to ensure dredge projects are both efficient and effective.