Eagle Scout Lake is a sediment retention basin that is part of an actively flowing creek system. Here, Kit Carson Creek to the East merges with a smaller creek tributary, and the lake captures sediment and debris from the watershed prior to draining to sensitive wetland habitat within the park and downstream near Lake Hodges.
The City of Escondido Utilities and Public Works Departments work to maintain, assess, and improve the Lake through a Capital Improvement Project.
Why is the Eagle Scout Lake bridge under construction?
The bridge was constructed many years ago and has failed due to erosion and outdated design standards. Underneath this bridge is important infrastructure, including fiber optic cables and recycled water distribution pipes. The bridge must be rebuilt but the design must be improved to better match today’s best practices. Temporary fencing has been added to the bridge to allow access until construction starts.
Why is it taking so long?
Public infrastructure projects take a many years to design, plan, fund, and execute. Since this bridge crosses a sensitive waterway, there are extra steps that must be taken to construct the project. The City must abide by State and Federal environmental laws, and ensure that impacts to creek habitat are mitigated. This involves working with biologists and applying for permits from multiple state and federal agencies, including US Army Corps of Engineers, CA and US Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
When will it be fixed?
The City has a contract for engineering design and environmental permitting. Depending on the time to secure State and Federal Environmental permits, construction could begin in late 2021 or early 2022.
