The University of Kansas will soon celebrate Potter Lake’s makeover, which has included dredging the lake, infrastructure improvements, planting native plants and more.
The celebration is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 on the west hillside overlooking Potter Lake, 1450 University Drive.
A summer 2024 project at the lake included dredging, rebuilding portions of the original edge wall, improvements to spillway and sediment basin, and new landscaping.
The improvements serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, according to a KU news release about the celebration.
In addition, Native Lands Restoration Collaborative has been working with KU faculty, staff and students this fall to return native plants to the hillside between the lake and the football stadium, according to a post on the nonprofit’s Instagram page.
“A healthy woodland will filter the stormwater running down the hill from campus, anchor soil, and provide important habitat for the native animals (and thousands of students!) who visit the land,” according to the post. “Once established, this hillside will host several blooming species each season, providing a beautiful view for graduation, football season, and even winter break when the birds are seeking native seeds.”
Potter Lake, originally constructed in 1911 as a reservoir in case of fire on campus, is now used recreationally, in classes and for campus traditions. In its early days, people frequently swam and skated there.
“Although swimming and skating were eventually curtailed for safety reasons, generations of adults and kids have continued fishing there,” according to the release. “Potter Lake has also hosted concrete canoe races and cardboard boat regattas over the years, and goalposts have mysteriously appeared there after significant KU football wins.”
The university will also kick off a new campaign for future enhancements to the lake, according to the release. KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and others are set to give remarks.
A cardboard boat regatta sponsored by KU Student Union Activities will begin after the celebration at 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. It falls on KU’s Family Weekend.
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