The City of Long Beach broke ground today on a $3.2 million project to help improve the water quality and prevent recontamination at the Colorado Lagoon.
Since the lagoon is a natural low point in the watershed, it accumulates pollutants deposited over the entire watershed that are washed into the storm drains by storm flows and dry weather runoff.
"The Colorado Lagoon is one of Long Beach's greatest natural assets, and this a wonderful project that's long overdue," Mayor Bob Foster said. "This project will help restore the site's ecosystem, improve the estuarine habitat, provide enhanced recreation facilities, improve water and sediment quality, and manage storm water."
The funds, from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be used to:
1. Clean and modify the underground culvert that connects the Colorado Lagoon to Marine Stadium.
2. Construct a bioswale on the western lagoon arm to help filter runoff.
3. Construct a low-flow diversion system to redirect dry-weather run-off into the sewer system.
"The Colorado Lagoon is one of the few remaining urban coastal salt marsh lagoons in Southern California," said Councilmember Gary DeLong, who represents the 3rd District. "These improvements will result in a dramatic improvement in water quality. The Colorado Lagoon will transform from being one of the worst bodies of water in Long Beach to one of the best."
The diversion system will also capture initial flows during rain events, which are usually the most contaminated. Construction of the bioswale will begin this month. The culvert cleaning and construction of the low-flow diversion system will begin in early 2010.
It is anticipated that this effort will create or retain approximately 15 direct construction jobs and other related jobs associated with the engineering work, permitting effort, and project and construction management.
Other improvements are being planned to further improve water and sediment quality. The Master Restoration Plan is outlined in greater detail in the project Environmental Impact Report, which is available at:
www.lbds.info
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