Machado Lake on the Wilmington/Harbor City border has been a dumping ground for years. (Photo: Anabell Romero)
After years of community complaints about pollution and other problems in Machado Lake, Los Angeles city officials are embarking on a $99 million project to improve the South Bay attraction.
Environmentalists and city officials said they hope the initiative will clean up an area long plagued by West Nile virus infected mosquitoes, toxic sediment and dangerous reptiles that are dumped into the lake.
The 31-acre lake, located within the Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, is on the Wilmington/Harbor City border, in the shadow of the area's refineries. It is best known as Reggie the alligator’s former home as well as the dumping ground for thousands of water snakes last summer. The park where the lake is located draws residents from around the South Bay, including some who said they welcome the restoration project.
“It’s a great idea to clean up and rebuild this park because it’s a good environment for the neighborhood and for the children,” said Rosa Maria Hilterbrandt, a Torrance resident.
Trash dumping, the rise of non-native plants and an increase of sediment and harmful nutrients have seriously damaged the lake’s ecosystem said city officials. The contamination has caused harm to the lake’s water quality, fish and other wildlife. One of the project’s biggest challenges will be removing more than 300,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake bottom, according to Alfred L. Mata, an environmental engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works.
Another part of the project is installing screening devices in Wilmington Channel storm drains to collect trash and other contaminants before they reach the lake. Improvement to the drainage system will prevent flooding that has been a problem in Wilmington.
The city invited the public to community workshops to discuss the project’s status. The meetings were organized to allow the community to voice concerns and ask questions of city officials about the project, which should be completed in fall 2015.
“Finally something is being done about this,” said Kat Madrigal, 24, a Wilmington resident. “The drainage project will definitely help with the flooding problems happening in Wilmington.”
The construction plan is funded by Proposition O, passed by voters in 2004, which authorizes the City of Los Angeles to issue a series of general obligation bonds for up to $500 million dollars. The proposition calls for the clean up for the city’s waterways, beaches and ocean, in order to meet Federal Clean Water Act requirements. The project will also involve a construction of a mini-boardwalk that will feature walking trails and other outdoor recreational activities.
“It will be a great area to learn and relax,” said Madrigal. “I will probably go there more often.”
About time they do something good for that park. I've been coming here since I was a kid and we would always have to leaver early cause of the mosquitos.
Cyndy, you're right! I've gone to work out at the park in evening and once it starts getting dark, especially during the summer, it's impossible to be there because of the mosquito infestation. I can't wait for this project!