Lindo Lake Plan

By Gary E. Mitrovich

FOR THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN

By Gary E. Mitrovich

FOR THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN

Some things you may want to know about the Lindo Lake Restoration Plan. The plan is now 90 percent complete, announced the engineers from AECOM, the La Jolla-based engineering company charged with the lake’s redesign. Its work was based on input from the Lakeside community via the Lindo Lake Subcommittee. A long time coming, it appears it is finally nearing completion. AECOM said its plan should be done by the end of the year.

This information was shared and reviewed at the Lindo Lake Subcommittee meeting on Nov. 14. Representatives from AECOM were on hand to answer questions from the residents in attendance. A number of items were discussed.

Both the east and west basins will be excavated to a depth of 10 feet. The plan is to excavate the east basin first and then move the water and begin work on the west basin. Some of the sediment from the excavation will be used to create mounds around the lake. The mounds will be situated around the lake with a height of up to three feet above current street levels.

The hauling of dirt and sediment from the lake will involve a competitive bidding process. A RFP (Request for Proposal) will be forthcoming.

The lake bottom will be lined with bentonite clay, a natural material that is used in dams. Locally sourced river rock will run around the waterline, to cut down erosion. Pipes will be placed under the road that separates the two basins to provide water flow to and from each side. An aeration system will be installed to prevent stagnation and keep the lake healthy. The idea of solar power was well received, with the possibility of building shade structures over the existing parking lot for solar panel placement. (The current panels at the community center will not provide the power required for the aeration system.) 

A bridge will be installed from the community center to the boathouse. Residents pushed for an appropriate design that fits with the history of the area.

Decomposed granite will be laid down for the walking trails around the lake. A couple of bird-watching stations and two fishing piers are also included in the plan. 

A number of trees will be removed during this restoration process. However, at least twice as many trees will be planted when the project is complete.

Once the complete design plan is submitted, then the funding process begins.