Greenville News photo gallery of students beginning lake cleanup.

Furman has a plan to restore the environmental integrity of the lake.

      “Because the lake is such an enjoyable resource for both the campus community and the larger community, it is important that its environmental quality be as pristine as possible,” said Dr. Thomas Kazee, Furman’s acting president.  “We will be making some changes over the next few years that should enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the lake.”

      Those changes include planting vegetation in the lake and on the surrounding border, naturalizing the streams that feed the lake, and reducing the waterfowl population.

      “Our primary goal is to improve the environmental quality of the lake, and reduce or eliminate the problems of excessive algae and bacteria,” said Dr. Wade Worthen, a professor of biology who is heading up the lake restoration plan.  “There are a lot of different factors that contribute to the problems, and we have to address them all if we’re going to change the environment.”

      According to Worthen, the lake is the lowest point in a local watershed, and collects water from the North Village complex, Lakeside Housing, Dining Hall, University Center, and associated parking lots, lawns and creeks.  He said creating wetlands where the streams enter the lake will help absorb excessive nutrients that currently flow into the lake.

      “We need to address issues throughout this entire watershed so that water, nutrients and sediments enter the lake in a natural, regulated manner,” Worthen said.

      Lastly, the lake’s waterfowl population will be reduced to decrease nutrient and bacteria concentrations in the lake.  Furman is also asking people not to feed the waterfowl.

      “In July of this year, we counted more than 360 waterfowl on the lake, which is about six times more waterfowl than a 30-acre lake can naturally support,” Worthen said.  “One reason we have that many birds is that they have learned people will feed them and there is no reason to migrate elsewhere.”

      Worthen said the restoration of the lake will provide extraordinary educational opportunities for Furman students and faculty, who will be involved in implementing parts of the plan.  He expects a more naturalized lake will also become a destination for field trips by local schools and nature groups.

Other future possibilities for a revitalized lake environment include educational signage, an upgraded picnic shelter, new trails, an observation deck extending into the lake and boardwalks near the wetlands.

      “When we create vegetation and change the habitat, we will create a more diverse ecosystem,” Worthen said.  “There will be different kinds of plant and animal life, and a natural system will draw different kinds of birds.  Butterflies will return to the area.  We envision the lake becoming an even more valuable resource for the Furman and greater Greenville communities.”

      For more information, contact Wade Worthen, Furman Biology Department, at 864-294-3390.

###########