Every year, the stormwater lakes, or BMPs, in Newport News show signs of water quality stress such as algae blooms, duckweed infestations, siltation or excessive shallowness, and fish kills. The Lake Enhancement Program helps rehabilitate and restore stormwater lakes. The program improves the water quality of eligible lakes through dredging, aeration, and aquascaping through a partnership between the City and the lakefront residents. Through the program, lakefront residents can participate in improving their lake’s water quality AND the water quality of our local waterways. The rehabilitation of stormwater lakes is essential to the health of our streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Is Your Lake Eligible?

• Private, residential stormwater lakes that accept public drainage are eligible to participate in dredging, aeration, and aquascaping projects. A minimum of 75% of the adjacent lakefront property owners must agree to become apart of the program. The cost of dredging projects will be covered 100% by the City of Newport News. However, the lakefront property owners must cost share 50/50 with the City for aeration and aquascaping.
• Private, non-residential stormwater lakes that accept public drainage are eligible to participate in dredging projects only. The adjacent lakefront property owners must cost share with the City on a 50/50 basis.

• Private lakes that do not accept public drainage are not eligible to participate in the Lake Enhancement Program

Lake Enhancement Program Application PDF (946 KB)

Contact the Department of Engineering, Division of Stormwater Management (926-8611) for more information.