RThe boating pond in Elgin’s Cooper Park is being cleared of sediment in preparation for its refill in the coming months.
Heavy machinery is being used to remove the sediment to an average depth of around six inches.
The pond was drained earlier this summer to allow a retaining wall and embankment to be built at the north end as part of the town’s £86 million flood alleviation scheme.
The aim of the works is to minimise the risk of Elgin suffering a repeat of the devastating floods, which caused millions of pounds worth of damage in 1997 and 2002.
The measures being constructed around the town are due for completion early in 2015 and aim to protect 600 homes and 250 businesses.
Labour councillor for Elgin city north Barry Jarvis said: “This is a very welcome move, the sight of the drained pond and the muck and weeds littering an area that is the home of so many cherished memories has been a cause for concern and anger among many for months now.
“These ongoing works are vital to the overall flood scheme and hopefully once they are finished the pond can be fully returned to its former glory. I am just hopeful that between now and then that there is not a substantial build up of litter as a result of visitors to the work failing to clean up after themselves.”
The work is expected to take several days and material removed from the pond will be stockpiled and reused elsewhere in the flood alleviation scheme.