Downtown Canal Cleaning Underway

A major cleanup is now underway for the downtown Indianapolis canal.  

Andrea Watts with the Department of Metropolitan Development, says it will take about a week for the canal to be fully drained so that it can be cleaned of algae and other plant growth.

“Then we will have crews in there fishing with fish nets, getting the fish out and then they will be relocated to the White River.”

The canal will still be open to all pedestrian traffic.

“We ask the people do be careful just because we are doing work actually inside the canal but it won’t be fenced off. People can still enjoy the canal walkway, says Watts.”

Completion is expected by mid-February 2019.    

The canal was last comprehensively cleaned in 2007.  It’s recommended this cleaning take place roughly once per decade. This project is estimated to cost $547,320.00 with the city paying for most of the project as a planned expense that coincides with budget allocation for the upkeep of downtown infrastructure and beautification. White River State Park is covering approximately one-third of the remaining costs.