Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

What If You Could Swim In The Silver Lake Reservoir?

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

The Silver Lake Reservoir is going to be undergoing a big transformation, so one group is asking: why not turn it into a rad beach while we're at it?

Swim Silver Lake came up with the idea of turning the reservoir into a small community lake called "The Silver Lake Plunge" complete with a beach and a section for doing laps (h/t LA Taco). The group writes:

Since the reservoir will be dismantled and disrupted, why not take this opportunity to improve our community and expand the ways we can use the reservoir? We can not only walk and run around a beautiful body of water, but transform it into a functional space for community recreation. We can create a new public gathering place to bring our LA communities together to support fun and fitness.

The Silver Lake Reservoir as it is now can no longer provide the city with drinking water because of new federal rules barring open air reservoirs. (I guess those weird black balls from a few years back didn't count.) Instead, our water supply will be coming from underground. The LADWP plans on tunneling underneath the reservoir, but that could leave a bunch of wonderful space right in the middle of Silver Lake.Here's the reservoir as it appears now:

And here it is with its beachy makeover:

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right