BREC, LSU secure funding to revamp lake system

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The thick green algae covering the City Lake may be seeing its final days.

Last week Baton Rouge Metro Council along with LSU and BREC approved funds necessary to begin improvements outlined in a master plan that has been years in the making.

“Hopefully by fall of 21, next year you’ll start to see some dirt moving in terms of dredging the lakes,” said BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson.

Wilson, who is in his first year of leadership at BREC said dredging is the first step that will be seen by the public. By deepening the lakes it will allow them to be healthier and will take care of the algae problem. He said that should take about a year to complete.

Once the dredging is complete work will begin on bike and walking paths around the lakes to keep pedestrians off the neighborhood streets and transforming the lakefront.

“It’s important for the whole community,” said Rob Stuart, President of the LSU Foundation. “It’s important for LSU students and faculty but it’s important for the whole community. When you’re out on the lakes on the weekend or on an evening you see people all facets of the community. People coming from everywhere, all walks of life enjoying what’s out there and it’s really a focal point for the city.”

Improvements to the largest lake, the University Lake on LSU’s campus will have to wait. Funding for it dried up with state funds because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It changes the quality of life for Baton Rouge, helps the quality of life for students and I think it makes it a real attraction for Baton Rouge and LSU,” Stuart said.

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