The University Lakes Restoration Project team reminds the public that May Street is closed to all traffic between Dalrymple Drive and East Lakeshore Drive.
This applies to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
REIMAGINE THE
LAKES
Exciting changes are coming to
the University Lakes System.
A partnership between LSU and
state and local partners is working
to create a more sustainable lakes system through ambitious environmental restoration that will also add tremendous recreational value for all people of Baton Rouge.
Presentation from Public Meeting
on June 9, 2026
What's Happening at the Lakes?
Phase 1
Dredging in City Park Lake and Lake Erie is complete! Shoreline seeding and landscaping have been installed, and we’re already seeing growth and some bursts of color.
Work on May Street continues. Construction of the May Street bridge will begin in the next few weeks.
Phase 2A
Progress continues in University Lake. Dredging and shoreline landscaping in College Lake was completed in 2025. Dredging in the northern half of University Lake is wrapping up, and landscaping of the newly-creating islands and shorelines is already underway.
Phase 2B
Dredging of the southern half of University Lake began in early 2025 and is scheduled for completion this summer. The new green space across from the Lod Cook Alumni Center at LSU, as well as the expansion to BREC's Wampold Park, are starting to take shape!
Campus Lake
Raking and drainage improvements are complete, and dredging is set to begin this summer.
High School students and BR Green planted Cypress trees at University Lake
January 23, 2026
Dam release at May Street
July 2, 2025
Dam prior to release at May Street
Dam release at May Street
Lake Erie aerial view
Dam prior to release at May Street
Contracts & Payments
Contracts | Payments | Task |
|---|---|---|
Sevenson | 53,753,915 | Dredging CMAR |
Brown Industrial | 11,549,859 | May Street Contractor |
Sasaki | 4,523,010 | Master Designer |
Stantec | 2,420,036 | Flood Risk Reduction Designer |
CSRS/B&D | 2,077,387 | Project Manager |
RCI | 2,771,840 | Landscape Contractor |
Unawarded Landscape | 2,645,838 | Landscape |
GeoEngineers | 613,883 | Geotechnical Engineer |
Fenstermaker | 536,267 | Survey |
J&W Contractors | 123,000 | Drainage |
Big Gator | 77,500 | Survey |
Taylor Porter | 23,008 | Legal |
Eisner Amper | 22,750 | Audit |
Terracon | 12,000 | Consulting Engineer May Street |
G&S Aerial | 6,160 | Drone Sprayer for invasive aquatic vegetation |
Total $81,161,694
Funding
Funding | Amount |
|---|---|
Interest Earnings | 986,456 |
LSU | 50,000 |
LSU Foundation | 4,077,500 |
LA DOTD | 5,000,000 |
BREC | 5,000,000 |
EBR | 5,350,000 |
CBDG | 10,000,000 |
Capital Outlay | 50,750,000 |
Total $81,213,956
