What the project is and how it will improve Central Park
Staff Writer
On March 4th, the Fremont City Council approved a pilot program aimed to improve the water quality in Lake Elizabeth, the city’s central recreation area. The primary goal of the pilot plan, which was designed after consultation with an environmental professional, is to prevent future fish die-off events.
In July 2024, Lake Elizabeth, along with the broader East Bay region experienced an intense heatwave that led to reduced dissolved oxygen levels and increasing water temperatures. The effects of the heatwave, combined with the increased sediment build up at the lake floor, significantly raised the water temperature, leading to a significant amount of fish dying. In addition to the fish dying, the decreased water depth puts the lake’s function as a form of flood protection and stormwater storage at risk. The reduction in lake depth and poor water quality also caused boating and other water activities to be closed off.
Although the lake’s issues with water quality have been recently stabilized, city recreation and environment staff proposed the plan in order to prevent the effects of extreme heat waves in the future. According to the city, this plan consists of surface aerators for increased oxygen, nine floating islands for shade and temperature regulation, and water monitor probes, coming in at a sum of about $175,000. If the initial pilot is successful, the city said it would consider expanding the program to other sections of the lake.
Environmental Services Manager Kathy Cote provided the city council report which further explained the roles and procedures of different city departments that are collaborating on improving water quality and performing general maintenance. The report, published on February 27th, says, “Routine lake maintenance activities conducted by the City include maintaining lake levels during the summer months with additional water from the irrigation system at Central Park and controlling the bird population which has the potential to present bacterial contamination.” The report also outlined that Fremont conducts many water quality compliance activities through its participation in the Alameda County Clean Water Program.
In terms of the lake’s recreational use, Community Services Director Kim Beranek said, “Boating requires a specified depth depending on the type of vessel. Paddle boats or surface floating boats [require] much less depth, while sail boats that have a keel require 4+ feet of depth. Lake Elizabeth’s historical maximum depth is 7 [feet] at the deepest location.”
Explaining the challenges to supporting boating activities, Beranek said, “According to a 2023 bathymetric study and the 2001 construction documents for the dredging project, Lake Elizabeth’s [depth] has decreased two to three feet depending upon the location. This depth issue directly impacts the ability of the lake to support boating operations.”
With concerns over the lake’s ability to serve as a flood-prevention mechanism, Beranek said that the Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, a local group that overlooks flood-mitigation measures, assured that changes in depth did not impact its ability to prevent floods.
In response to the effects on the community, Beranek said, “It is the City’s desire to have a healthy vibrant lake that supports both the environmental and recreational use of the lake and the needs of the Fremont community.”
Lake Elizabeth, located in Fremont’s Central Park, has been a popular spot for boating and picnics, and the improvement in water quality will help ensure the city can continue to provide these services (Photo Credit: Sampan Mehta (12)).
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