The MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project is due to begin in about a year according to LA Sanitation officials at a recent water tour of Echo Park. The projects are similar in that it will drain the lake, replace the bottom surface of the lake and improve the collection and processing of storm water flowing into the lake and back to the storm drain system.
Aboveground features of the project would consist of a new water feature near the southwest corner of the park and some equipment within and/or adjacent to an existing pump house located south of the lake. The underground diversion, capture, and pretreatment structures would be located in Lake Street south of the park. An additional underground stormwater treatment unit would be located along the southern edge of the park. Underground pipelines would be located in the park and in Lake Street, Grand View Street, and 7th Street.
The proposed project would divert and treat portions of wet weather stormwater flows as well as dry weather flows from the existing underground storm drain system and discharge it into MacArthur Lake for storage or return it to the storm drain system. In-lake storage would decrease the use of potable water to maintain the lake water level. Some of the water that is stored in the lake would subsequently be discharged to the sanitary sewer system. The project would reduce the amount of stormwater and dry weather flows, and their associated pollutant loads, that enter Ballona Creek and, ultimately, Santa Monica Bay. Additionally, the proposed project would enhance the park by creating a water feature and providing educational opportunities, such as signage and information boards about stormwater management.