The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Fairfield County Park District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to mark the completion of the H2Ohio Two Glaciers Wetland Restoration Project at Two Glaciers Park near Lancaster. The $1.07 million project restored 33 acres of wetlands along Clear Creek and Muddy Prairie Run and is expected to reduce phosphorus loading by an estimated 72 pounds annually.

Governor Mike DeWine stated, “Improving Ohio’s water quality is a long-term investment,” emphasizing the progress made through the H2Ohio Initiative since its launch in 2019.

Press Release: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Reproduced in full from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

ODNR Celebrates Completion of H2Ohio Wetland Restoration Project at Two Glaciers Park

LANCASTER, Ohio , As part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio Initiative, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Fairfield County Park District celebrated the completion of the H2Ohio Two Glaciers Wetland Restoration Project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at Two Glaciers Park near Lancaster.

“Improving Ohio’s water quality is a long-term investment,” said Governor DeWine. “We have made significant progress across the state by creating and restoring hundreds of wetlands, working with thousands of farmers, and approaching water quality from all angles. H2Ohio has built a strong foundation for the ongoing work that is needed to continue keeping Ohio’s rivers and lakes clean and healthy.”

The $1.07 million project restored 33 acres of wetlands along Clear Creek and Muddy Prairie Run and is expected to reduce phosphorus loading by an estimated 72 pounds annually. The project was made possible through a partnership between ODNR and the Fairfield County Park District.

“This project highlights the teamwork that makes H2Ohio such a successful initiative,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “By restoring wetlands at Two Glaciers Park, we are improving water quality, creating valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, and providing a beautiful natural area for Ohioans to enjoy. Projects like this demonstrate how H2Ohio continues to make a real difference for communities and waterways across our state.”

The restored wetland is designed to slow floodwaters, capture sediment, and improve water quality before it flows to the Hocking and Ohio Rivers. Phase I created a floodplain wetland complex at the confluence of Clear Creek and Muddy Prairie Run, featuring deep-water pools and shallow marshes that increase water retention and nutrient removal. Phase II restored streamside wetlands along Clear Creek, creating additional natural filtration areas that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff during flood events.

Since Governor DeWine launched H2Ohio in 2019, the initiative has supported approximately 520 wetland projects statewide that are complete or underway, restoring more than 21,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitat. These efforts have reduced nearly 78,000 pounds of source phosphorus statewide, including more than 52,000 pounds within the Western Lake Erie Basin.

Owned and managed by the Fairfield County Park District, Two Glaciers Park encompasses approximately 363 acres of agricultural, forested, and riparian habitat along Clear Creek near Lancaster. The park, the largest in the district's system, is also home to the historic Johnson and Hannaway Covered Bridges.

H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization. For more information visit h2.ohio.gov.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.