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Walker Lake Retaining Wall Removal Project
Gates Of The Arctic National Park and Preserve » Walker Lake Retaining Wall Removal Project » Document List
The purpose of removing the retaining wall would be to restore the wilderness character of the Walker Lake area and allow for primitive and unconfined recreation without the sight of man's presence in designated wilderness. In accordance with the Wilderness Act the removal of the retaining structure is being pursued as a necessary step in the restoration of the area's wilderness character. Removing the retaining wall would allow natural processes to restore the shoreline function of Walker Lake and over time return the shoreline to natural conditions.
The NPS acquired the 5-acre Walker Lake property in 1988 and removed the lodge as per the purchase agreement. The retaining wall is one of two structures remaining on the site. The project is needed because the retaining wall, constructed in 1974, has adversely affected the wilderness values, natural lakeshore, and natural ecological processes along Walker Lake.