Dredging begins on Laguna Lake Park

Laguna Lake Park will be closed today due to a planned two-week dredging project, the City of San Luis Obispo informs.

The cleanup program is set to remove the sediment buildup in the lake bed that comes from local runoff.

September marks the beginning of a long term restoration project at Laguna Lake, according to the city.

“This program and project have been decades in the making and will help contribute to a better quality of life for many San Luis Obispo community members,” said the City’s Sustainability & Natural Resources Official, Bob Hill.

“Ongoing maintenance will help restore water quality over time, make the lake deeper, and allow for more recreational opportunities. Ultimately, we’re taking care of an important natural resource in our community for the benefit of both people and wildlife.”

The lake is an important wildlife habitat and is used for passive recreational activities, such as boating, birding, fishing, and quiet and scenic enjoyment.

However, the lake has experienced toxic blue-green algae and has accumulated other naturally occurring contaminants due to the sediment and runoff flowing into the lake over the years.

The City currently plans to repeat the dredging once every other year to maintain the lake and improve water quality. This maintenance program will also establish regular water quality monitoring.

This $715,000 project is funded by local sales tax revenue through Measure G-20.