Leaders push for new technology to keep trash out of Arcadia Lake

The Arcadia Lake Commission has advanced a proposal to begin an engineering study on building a trash interception system on the Deep Fork River, near where it feeds into the lake. 

March 13 

It was passed during the group’s March meeting and is now working through other city boards and commissions. If adopted, the study would cost nearly $70,000. 

Minutes from the March meeting state Oklahoma City is interested in partnering with Edmond on the project, due to concerns about rising daily loads in waterways. 

April 10 

During a Thursday meeting, city staff said they expected City Council to vote on the item near the end of April or the beginning of May. 

Commission member Rocky McElvany said an initial study conducted by UCO gave the group a fresh reason to look at a more permanent solution. 

“We began then trying to say, what would it take to do a feasibility study?” McElvany asked. “How could we start to look at the flow? How can we start to look at ways to impact the amount of items that flow in there? And so, this is really an exciting time as the commission, this is an exciting time for us to be able to say, we're going to have an opportunity to be able to hopefully do something.” 

Currently, McElvany said it takes more than 300 volunteers 

End of 2025 

If the City Council adopts the feasibility study, McElvany said the study is expected to take close to six months to complete. 

The timing overlaps with the city’s preparations for the Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026. 

“Arcadia Lake is one of Edmond's favorite Route 66 attractions,” said Jennifer Thornton, who works for Visit Edmond. “It's right on Route 66. A lot of visitors and residents and newcomers enjoy Arcadia Lake. There's even a boathouse at Arcadia Lake that has a zipline. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards. So, beautifying Arcadia Lake will only help, especially with the Centennial of Route 66 coming up next year.”