The City of Lynchburg and the University of Lynchburg have decided to not refill College Lake and remove the dam.
Since the flooding on August 2, which overtopped the College Lake Dam and resulted in evacuation of homes downstream, the city and university leadership have worked to develop a vision for the lake.
Instead of filling the lake and fixing the dam, they will transition the lakebed into a wetlands ecosystem featuring an urban wetlands learning laboratory, where students, residents, tourists, and other schools can study urban wetland ecology and enjoy time in nature.
"This project marks yet another way the City is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with the University of Lynchburg. Although we wish these plans were being made through better circumstances, moving forward with the restoration of Blackwater Creek and the establishment of wetlands at the former lake will allow us to be good stewards of both the environment and our community," said Bonnie Svrcek, Lynchburg City Manager.
Lakeside Drive should re-open in 2-3 weeks.
The rest of this story: ABC 13