To do this project, we took a trip to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. Since 1989, a standing goal to improve the Lake's condition and make it clean enough to swim in has been kept. While our lake isn't nearly perfect, a lot has been done in the last 13 years. On most days it is okay to swim in the lake, but they have a tough job. Since the ban on shell dredging in 1991 they still have a tough job because most pollution comes from surrounding rivers and canals, and saltwater intrusion from Mr. Go, The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. They are trying to stop that pollution, which is not an easy task, but they are constantly doing research to find out what more they can do. The Lake Pontchartrain Artificial Reef Working Group, which is the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and other organizations, are getting funding and are already making artificial reefs in the lake. In the weather section of the Times-Picayune, every Friday, they publish the swimming conditions for the Lake's beaches and surrounding rivers. Because of saltwater intrusion, they are now trying to close Mr. Go. If you want to know more, consult the The Environmental Atlas of Lake Pontchartrain.  

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