Can Stormwater Really Be Used for Recreation? Yes, at Echo Park Lake

Echo Park Lake is an urban recreational lake that also serves as a flood control basin to capture and store peak flows. Over time, operational issues and high bacteria levels associated with large numbers of waterfowl have contributed to poor water quality in the lake and downstream waters. California has identified Echo Park Lake as an impaired water body. The broad goals of the proposed project are to improve the water quality conditions in both Echo Park Lake and in the Los Angeles River Watershed, and to restore the lake's existing and potential beneficial uses while helping meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements. Modeled studies, preliminary investigations and assessments at the site provided a basis to evaluate treatment options. Appropriate options include sediment removal, liner system, treatment wetland, aeration, and hydrodynamic separator. Habitat and parkland improvements were included to restore the lake and create a healthy sustainable environment.