Frequently Asked Questions

Of the six lakes that make up the University Lakes System, four are owned by LSU and two are owned by the City of Baton Rouge-Parish of East Baton Rouge. Specifically, the City-Parish owns City Park Lake and Lake Erie. LSU owns University Lakes, Lake Crest, Campus Lake, and College Lake.

The Acts of Donation include the following language: The above described property [Perkins Swamp] is donated, given, transferred and assigned…to be used for the sole purpose of constructing and building a public lake and public park for the use of the whole public and is to be always maintained, continued and used as such without any obligation for any costs or charges of any nature or sort whatsoever to the Donor, its successors or assigns.

The Baton Rouge Lakes Master Plan helped to capture the community’s vision for what the University Lakes can become, once restored. As a master plan, that 2016 plan is, by nature, conceptual, but has guided the implementation of the University Lakes Project. As part of the implementation process, the Project Team performed additional investigation, analysis, community engagement, and design development to yield a project that could be feasibly constructed within the anticipated budget for the project.

Construction for the currently funded Phases 1, 2A and 2B is anticipated to be completed by December 2026. Other components of the projects, such as pathways, landscaping, and other recreational facilities may be constructed in the future based on available funding.

Dredging and construction of lakeshore improvements will be phased insections to minimize inconveniences to recreational users and residents.

To date, over 250,000 cubic yards of sediment has been dredged from the lakes. Over Phases 1, 2A, and 2B, approximately 730,000 cubic yards will be removed and, as the remaining lakes are eventually dredged, the total volume of sediment removed will exceed 1 million cubic yards.

Freshly turned earth at construction sites always has a unique odor, and sediments dredged from the lakes and deposited along the shores will likely have an odor for periods of time throughout the project. Efforts will be made in the design and construction process to work quickly in phases and to speed the covering of exposed soil with vegetation, which will control erosion and help to encapsulate the soil, thus containing odors. Environmental factors such as heat and rainfall will affect the oxidation of organics contained in the sediments, which are typically responsible for most soil odors.

Our phased approach to construction ensures that there will not be construction throughout the lakes at one time. Therefore, wildlife may need or want to move to avoid construction, but will still have access to undisturbed areas within the University Lakes. Should the relocation of any wildlife and/or nests be requires, the Project Team will coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Approximately 77 acres of new land will be created as a result of Phases 1, 2A, and 2B of the University Lakes Project.

Project partners who are currently responsible for maintenance include LSU, BREC, and the City-Parish. Each of these partners has committed to continuing to maintain their respective areas, once construction is complete. However, all project partners are working towards a long-term solution that includes dedicated maintenance and funding for the University Lakes.

We invite you to continue to share memories of visits to the lakes online using the storyboard where you can post photos and memories of your visits. Project designs are in finalization mode as of Spring 2022 as Phase 1 moves to construction. Follow our progress on social media:

Twitter: @LakesProject

Facebook and Instagram: @UniversityLakesProject

LinkedIn: University-Lakes-Project

Join us in sharing Lakes Project news using the hashtag #LakesProject.