City staff, representatives of environmental engineering firm LDA Engineering, Lions Club members, Fountain City residents and lake stakeholders will participate in a public meeting on Aug. 25 regarding the design of the Fountain City Lake wetland. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Lions Club Building located at Fountain City Park, 5345 N. Broadway.

In the past two years, the City and its contractors have repaired a leak in the earthen berm that surrounds the lake. Crews have repeatedly drained, cleaned, treated and taken measurements of the lake, and inappropriate species of fish have been relocated. Algaecide has been sparingly added. 

This month, work is being completed on the lake’s fountain system and pumphouse to increase aeration, which will add oxygen to the water, agitate the water surface and reduce stagnation – all helpful in combating the algae growth that’s marred the lake for many years. In addition, the improved apparatus will be able to discharge out the dirtiest water from the bottom of the lake as well as provide a surface skimmer to collect and release floating algae and debris.

The last major infrastructure improvement being made by the City will be creation of a wetland area in the northern end of the lake – eliminating a shallow, stagnant zone of water that’s been conducive to thick algae growing. The wetland also will provide more shading to help lower water temperature – also useful in deterring algae – while providing a natural vegetative buffer that will reduce algae-feeding nutrients and filter pollutants. At the Aug. 25 public meeting, LDA will present its design for the wetland.

Combined, the City so far has invested about $260,000 in the lake’s infrastructure improvements.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the Aug. 25 meeting should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact the City Law Department at 865-215-2050.