Mississippi State University’s Chadwick Lake is currently being drained.  This lake is being drained to stabilize the lake’s northwestern bank that has exhibited erosion over time.  A section of the track that surround the lake has been closed since March 1 and will continue to be until the project is completed.  
  The exercise track around Chadwick Lake will continue to be open with a small portion of it closed along the construction site.  People using the track will be forced to turn around or go around the work site at that point.  
  George Davis, executive director of campus services said the project will cost approximately $175,000.
   “Chadwick Lake is being drained to install 600 feet of sea wall to prevent the erosion of the existing bank,” Davis said.
   Davis said the funds for the project are being pulled from the Repair and Renovation fund.
   Davis also said while the entire shore of Chadwick Lake is prone to erosion, the sea wall being constructed on the specific section now due to the erosion encroaching on the track many people use for exercise.
   “The interaction of the water and the soils over time could cause the university to have to install future sea walls but we do not see any in the immediate future,” David said.  
Jacob Forrester, construction administrator, said the erosion of the lake has occurred over many years.
   “The erosion of the lake has happened from wind blowing and wave action over multiple years,” Forrester said.  
  The water is being maintained at its current level until the wall is completely constructed.  It was drained extremely slow by the use of an existing gate valve, according to Davis.  The sea wall being built will prevent future erosion from happening at northwestern bank that has been facing gradual abrasion. 
   Chadwick Lake is located next to the Joe Frank Sanderson Center.  The lake has been a part of MSU since the early 1960s and perhaps longer, according to an aerial photo from that time period.  The main purpose of the lake is to provide relaxation for students and others in the beauty of nature said Sid Salter, chief communications officer and director of the office of public affairs.
   “It is a beautiful, natural setting in place for people who do not want to do their walking on a treadmill in the Sanderson to get out and walk in the open air with beautiful scenery and with interesting track around the lake,” Salter Said.
   The walking and jogging track around the lake opened in the fall of 2013.  It was opened with support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation and was part of the “MSU on the Move” project.  It is one mile long.
   Chadwick Lake provides an outlet for students to exercise, fish with a license, or just enjoy relaxing outdoors.  
   The project will continue through the summer and will be completed by the end of the July as long as weather permits.  In the section where the wall is being built, erosion of the bank should be completely stopped.