What it is:
A multi-phase restoration of the six-lake system around LSU to deepen silted lakes, improve water quality and habitat, add safer trails and access, and reduce local flood risk—all while reshaping shorelines and creating small habitat islands. The project vision emphasizes a “sustainable ecological jewel” with diversified recreation for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

What work is being done:
Dredging (targeting ~8-ft average depth), removal of legacy cypress stumps, shoreline reconstruction and landscaping, expansion of the bird sanctuary, a new May Street bridge, and connected bike/ped infrastructure around the lakes.

Status & timeline (as of mid-/late-2025):
Phase 1 dredging in City Park Lake & Lake Erie neared completion with shoreline landscaping underway.
• Dredging in College Lake completed in early 2025; dredging in University Lake is ongoing in 2025, with additional Phase 2 work carrying into winter 2025–26.
• Broad project completion, including remaining dredging and infrastructure (e.g., May Street bridge), is projected for 2026.

Funding & delivery:
The effort is fully funded at roughly $78–$79 million, with contributions from State of Louisiana capital outlay, the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (CDBG-MIT), BREC, the City-Parish, LSU/LSU Foundation, and others. Project governance is a partnership among the State, LSU, City-Parish, BREC, and community foundations; the LSU Real Estate & Facilities Foundation helps manage delivery.

Why it matters:
Deepening and reshaping the lakes is intended to curb algal blooms and improve water quality, restore and create habitat, improve flood performance of the basin, and make the area a safer, year-round public amenity with trails and access points. Public updates have addressed common questions (e.g., how reusing clean dredge material to build habitat edges and islands still supports flood goals).