Shawnee Hills

Shawnee Hills is a private lake community located in Jamestown, Ohio. Membership is available to all who own property or rent a home in our community. The lake offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and skiing and relaxation. Whether you are potential, new or existing resident we hope this website will help find the information you are looking for.

Shawnee Lake Community Advisory: Algae Concerns and Next Steps

The Board wants residents to know that individual, resident-arranged samples at two locations and reported elevated levels, raising concerns about potentially harmful blue-green algae. These results reflect the samples collected at those locations and do not establish conditions throughout the lake. We are looking into professional testing to better understand the extent and severity of the problem.

For now, our recommendation is simple: When in doubt, stay out. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that harm people and animals, particularly if contaminated water is swallowed. Avoid swimming, boating, and other water activities in areas with visible algae, scum, or discolored water. Keep children and pets away from affected areas. Do not allow animals to drink lake water, swim in affected areas, or eat shoreline algae. Untested areas should not be assumed safe.

Fortunately, we are in the off-season and the beach is already closed, providing an opportunity to investigate and address the issue before next year’s swimming season.

This year, we intend to lower the lake as far as safely and practically possible while inspecting the lower valve and drain pipe. We are also exploring whether targeted spot treatment would be appropriate, followed by retesting to establish a baseline heading into next season. Our goal is to coordinate necessary maintenance with mitigation efforts that help improve lake conditions.

Additional steps being planned or explored include:

Sediment testing and dredging estimates: Testing lake-bed sediment and obtaining estimates for potential removal of accumulated material.

Nutrient management near the bridge: Evaluating native aquatic plants and other suitable ecological measures that could help absorb nutrients where water enters the lake.

The pond near Linden Green: Coordinating potential treatment of the pond across from our community, where visible surface buildup has been observed. This pond drains into our lake when it overflows.

Professional and agency guidance: Reaching out to government agencies, lake-management professionals, and nearby lake communities to identify effective approaches.

Longer-term mitigation: Reviewing options such as ultrasonic buoys and professional treatment programs used at other Ohio lakes.

Signage: Identifying appropriate advisory signs to keep residents and visitors informed.

The algae problem appears to be worsening each year. We are investigating how additional drainage and incoming nutrients may be contributing, rather than assuming a single cause. Professional guidance will help determine which measures are appropriate, effective, and practical for Shawnee Lake.

We are still developing the plan, and treatment decisions have not been finalized. We will keep residents informed as testing results, costs, and next steps become clearer. Please use caution and stay tuned for further updates.

SHPOA Board of Trustees

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHPOA BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGE

Please be advised that the November SHPOA Board Meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, November 9, 2026.

Meeting Details:

Date: Monday, November 9th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: SHPOA Community Building

We kindly ask all residents to update their calendars and take note of this change.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Shawnee Hills Property Owners Association

Note from odnr regarding the valve opening & closing:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The results of the 2026 Board of Trustees election have been finalized.

We are pleased to announce that the three Board seats will be filled by:
• Matt Simpson
• Jake Allen
• Jim Wirth

Please join us in congratulating these individuals and welcoming them to the Board of Trustees. We appreciate all candidates who participated and extend our sincere thanks to our members for taking part in the election process.

We look forward to a productive year ahead in service to our community.

2026 Watercraft Sticker Pricing Update

As we begin the 2026 season, watercraft sticker pricing has been updated to include an early purchase incentive. Please note: any digital invoices will have a convenience fee.

Early Purchase Pricing
(Purchased prior to Monday, May 4)

  • Powered watercraft sticker: $60 each

  • Non-powered watercraft sticker: $30 each

Standard Pricing
(Purchased on or after Monday, May 4)

  • Powered watercraft sticker: $85 each

  • Non-powered watercraft sticker: $50 each

Members are encouraged to take advantage of the early purchase incentive and plan accordingly.

For questions, please contact the Clerk at clerk@shawneelake.org.

Notice to Shawnee Lake Property Owners

Beginning in 2026, all Shawnee Lake Property Owners Association invoices will include a convenience fee applied to the total amount for any payments processed through our online payment system (QuickBooks).

Property owners will continue to have the option to submit payments by check through the mail as well as make payments online.

Annual HOA dues invoices will be distributed on February 1, 2026, and must be remitted no later than March 1, 2026.

We appreciate your attention to this update and your continued cooperation.