El Paso County Commissioners to Consider Lake Ascarate Restoration Options

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County commissioners are expected to hear a presentation on possible restoration of Lake Ascarate.

The presentation is a separate effort from upcoming revitalization projects listed on capital improvement bonds in the upcoming election.

County Public Works and consultant AECOM will present El Paso County commissioners with options for restoring Lake Ascarate.

According to the presentation attached to the commissioner’s court agenda, leaving the lake as is would mean the following:

The fish kills
Algae Levels
Repair costs
Lake altitude
Pumping cost
Source of nutrients

The presentation will also give commissioners options on how restoration could take place.

Options include:

Stop the pumps and allow the water to evaporate and seep into the ground.
Pump water to irrigate the golf course.
Pump water into lakes. (e.g. Duck Pond and other ponds)
Give water to local construction companies.
Pump water into the Franklin Canal. (Least likely alternative due to need to coordinate with TBWC and obtain permits)

El Pasoans told KFOX14 they think restoring the lake might be a good idea.

“Personally I think it’s good, as long as they keep it up, they keep it up,” El Pasoan Simon Najera said.

Faith Orquia, another El Pasoan, told KFOX14 she hadn’t visited the lake since she was younger, but she thought “We have Lake Ascarate but it doesn’t, it doesn’t It doesn’t seem like it’s very nice.”

Najera and his wife Angela said they used to fish at the lake and if it was restored they would start going there more often.

The presentation will be made at the County Commissioner’s Court meeting Monday, no action is expected.

RELATED: El Paso County proposes ‘River Walk’ style makeover for Ascarate Park, pending local vote