Denver's Sloans Lake to get $50M investment in popular neighborhood park
The City of Denver has committed $50 million to clean up Sloans Lake. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said crews will mitigate storm runoff that has collected at the bottom of the lake over the years.
City officials said some parts of the lake that should measure 12 feet deep are only four feet deep. That can lead to algae blooms and other issues with the health of the lake.
"What was a deeper, colder lake is now down to only three feet deep on average, and so we got to get this dredged back out, get it deeper and colder and healthier," said Kurt Weaver, executive director of the Sloan's Lake Park Foundation. "The largest issue we have is that this lake is filling in with sediment. It used to be much deeper, colder, healthier, but over the last 150 years, this lake has been around since 1861. It's just a filled-in farm field."
Weaver said the biggest problem is sediment being carried into the lake by runoff from streets and parking lots across the surrounding area.
"There are 23 unfiltered storm drains and two unfiltered ditches that flow into the lake at all times from all around the lake, a 177-acre lake, all that stuff spilling in over the last 150 years, you end up with stuff that we can't get rid of unless we go in and dig it all out," said Weaver.
As the water gets shallower, it also becomes warmer, "When it's hot the whole way through, that's when you get blue-green algae. And blue-green algae is something that you don't always see."
"It smells, and unfortunately, a lake this size turns into a methane producer when it starts to stagnate. And so, methane is the worst greenhouse gas there is. So, we want to make sure that we stop it before that ever happens," said Weaver.
Johnston said the investment is about more than just the lake.
"We think there's nothing more important to do for the long-term health of this neighborhood than to support the long-term health of this lake," said Johnston.
Johnston's office said $5 million will come from the Vibrant Denver Bond, which was approved by voters. Another $5 million will come from the city's wastewater department. The rest will come from the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.
Sloans Lake is located on the northwest side of Denver. Permitting could be complete by next year and the project could begin in 2028.
"It's where weddings happen, and you know, celebrations happen, birthdays. We're on our kayaks and paddle boards. It's where our dogs swim, where we want to spend time. And so, really, this is a place that we absolutely have to take care of for generations to come," said Weaver.
Denver Parks and Recreation is transforming the historic Boat House building into a 2,500 to 3,000-square-foot community and event space connected to the marina.
