Campus Lake is benefiting from a well-deserved state grant to determine if pollution, erosion and algae build-up are negatively affecting its aesthetic, recreational and biological aspects.

And this means that future SIUC students, staff and faculty will be able to enjoy Campus Lake for a longer period of time.

Although complaints about the ever-present litter surrounding the human-made lake have been prevalent over the years, it is good that studying Campus Lake itself has become a top priority by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

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A $75,000 grant from the Illinois EPA given to SIUC in April has allowed University researchers to study the 40-acre lake. Researchers are examining Campus Lake to determine causes of sedimentation, shoreline erosion, over-fertilization and storm drainage that has harmed the lake for years.

For example, more than 20 storm drains run into Campus Lake. Runoff from campus streets, parking lots, buildings and woodland areas repeatedly has found its way into a place that is supposed to be one of our valued recreational havens.

Let us not forget that Campus Lake also is home to numerous fish, ducks and other species that will benefit from the researchers’ efforts to improve the quality of the lake’s waters.

These researchers’ efforts deserve recognition, and protecting Campus Lake should remain a top priority for SIUC in the future.