East Waterways Work to Begin at Jefferson, Bowl Lakes
In August 2022, preparation work will begin on two major components of the East Waterways project, a multi-year project to restore and greatly improve Forest Park’s beloved river system and lakes, which are enjoyed by visitors and wildlife alike.
The upcoming work will be focused on Jefferson and Bowl lakes, which will cause a re-routing of a section of the paved recreational path near the Planetarium along Clayton Road, and will close parking on part of that road:
The summer 2022 work around Jefferson Lake is the first step in preparing the area for a dramatic water feature and sustainable meadow.
Jefferson Lake Activity
Beginning Aug. 3-5, crews will stake off and treat areas around Jefferson Lake to eliminate unwanted plants species in order to prepare the area for a sustainable seeded meadow.
After elimination of the unwanted species, a “soil builder” seed mix – including buckwheat, sunflower, turnup and barley – will be spread as a cover crop to improve the soil, limit weed growth and limit soil erosion.
After soil restoration over this fall and next spring, installing the sustainable meadow will involve planting native plants and trees.
Fishing at Jefferson Lake will not be affected during this phase of the project. However, later phases of the project that require construction will make fishing unavailable during those times, timeline to be determined.
Bowl Lake Activity
Bowl Lake work will return the lake to its originally designed depth and restore another inviting area for visitors.
On Monday, Aug. 8, crews will begin preparing the areas around Bowl Lake for dredging sediment to restore the lake to its originally designed depth. This will included marking utilities and boundaries in and around the lake.
Parking lane closure along Clayton Road will also go into effect to provide excavators and trucks with access to Bowl Lake. The recreational path near the lake will be closed and rerouted.
Once excavation of sediment begins, this work at Bowl Lake is expected to take 30 to 45 days, depending on weather.
About the East Waterways Project
Focused on the waterways on the eastern side of Forest Park, which to date have not been restored like those in the center and on the western half, the East Waterways project has four central sites: Round Lake, the oxbow channel near Steinberg, Jefferson Lake and Bowl Lake. The project will beautify these three lakes and connect them to the waterway, improving water circulation and conservation throughout Forest Park.
Announced in November 2019, the anticipated late 2021 start of the project was delayed by the pandemic. Learn more about the project plans here.