El Paso County Public Works on Thursday presented technical findings and community feedback on restoration options for Escarate Lake and the surrounding Scott At The Park site, including cautions from University of Texas at El Paso scientists about large-scale dredging and proposals for smaller, targeted interventions.

The county shared an AECOM bathymetry study showing the ponded lake's depth is generally between 4 and 7 feet, rather than the 10 feet indicated in original construction plans. A subsurface clay liner of about 10'12 inches was confirmed, and investigators found about 6'10 inches of organic sediment on top of the liner in many areas, not the large sediment depths community members had feared.

Why it matters: The depth and liner findings change the tradeoffs of restoration options. Experts from UTEP and other consultants said extensive dredging could alter hydrology and water turnover, increase ecological disruption and threaten the lake's natural ecosystem. County staff recommended a more cautious approach focused on targeted sediment removal, tree plantings to reduce nutrient inflow, improved aeration, well upgrades and expanded public access.

Key findings and options presented
- Bathymetry and liner: County staff reported the lake's depth ranges 4' 7 feet; a clay liner (10'12 inches) exists in places; average organic sediment was measured at about 6'10 inches in sampled areas (Public Works presentation).
- Risks of dredging: UTEP environmental scientists and county consultants warned that large-scale dredging could change thermal stratification, reduce natural oxygen exchange, disrupt groundwater interaction and harm the lake's long-evolved ecology. Targeted removal of deeper sediment pockets was recommended where feasible to minimize hydrologic impacts.
- Recommended enhancements: Staff outlined a package of proposed improvements including shore stabilization, larger LED aerators for water quality and aesthetics, upgrading or drilling new wells to improve water quality and supply, improved ADA access and additional fishing and veteran-access amenities requested during a community meeting.
- Community priorities: In a public meeting earlier in July the county heard requests for improved ADA access, fish-stocking and feeder fish programs, bait sales or vending, better lighting, speed bumps, and improved trail and parking configurations. Staff said camping or RV accommodations were also raised as possible amenities.

Quotes (from the record)
- "We learned about the water loss, the leakage in the lake, the quality, the depth, and we did some soil testing...the lake depth was only 4 to 6 feet at that point." — Public Works presenter Lydia (first referenced in transcript at 1205.375).
- "One of those [UTEP] concerns is that the dredging could actually indeed, you know, create some problems that maybe we didn't think about...going in and dredging or digging deeper could really disrupt this lake hydrology." — Tim Fulton, Parks Director (first referenced in transcript at 1402.005).

Court and next steps: Commissioners thanked staff for the presentation and emphasized the need to preserve ecological function while improving recreational access. Staff said the operations most feasible in the near term are well work and targeted aeration improvements; other measures would be coordinated with the larger bond-funded park redevelopment project and refined after additional design work and public outreach.

Ending: County staff will continue environmental testing, coordinate with El Paso Water and UTEP, and fold Escarate Lake's enhancement scope into larger park bond projects; any engineering designs and procurement steps will be brought back to the commissioners for approval.