The Eastern pond, located next to Lantz Arena, might be getting deeper. David Crockett, manager of facilities planning and management, is considering a new project to increase irrigation efficiency.

Since the pond is only five to six feet deep, algae form easily in the pond. Crockett said the algae frequently block the pumps and disable them from watering the athletic fields. The deeper the pond is, the harder it would be for algae to grow.

Crockett said the pond would possibly be deepened to 15 or 20 feet if a grant were awarded to conduct the project.

The costs and timetables are still yet to be determined because the project is still in the planning stages, Crockett said.

Under the pond are pumps, which help to irrigate athletic fields on campus. The pumps transfer water out of the pond and into the sprinkler systems on different fields around campus.

“The purpose of the pond has evolved from something pretty with a fountain to an essential water source for irrigation for extended athletic fields”, Crockett said.

In the past, Eastern had to use fire hydrants, which cost money for the city water. With the pond-based pumps, Eastern has its own water system because the pond is refilled by rainfall.

The fields are watered anywhere from every day to every three days. Irrigation has been less this year because of the excessive rainfall, Crockett said.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has an agreement with Eastern to stock the pond with trout. The agreement states that “the Department of Conservation is responsible for providing fish stocks where needed to maintain or improve sport fishing.”

The agreement was signed in 1983 by the acting president of Eastern, Stanley Rives, and is still in effect today.

Ashlei Maltman can be reached at 581-7942 or at