After more than five years of waiting, city officials hope to open the lower lake at Bonita Lakes Park in time for Fourth of July festivities — but only after officials make a few minor adjustments to paperwork concerning the repairs.

Monty Jackson, director of public works for the city of Meridian, told The Meridian Star on Sunday that while repairs to the lower lake’s dam were completed late last year, his office is waiting on final certification from the state Department of Environmental Quality of the work that was done.

“We sent the paperwork to the state, and we had to respond to some comments and make minor additions to plan that don’t require work on the dam,” Jackson said. “It’s all related to paperwork.”

The lower lake was drained in 2001, when a leak was discovered in the dam. The leak is believed to have been caused by the roots of the trees that were originally built as a buffer between the lake and adjoining Bonita Lakes Mall.

The Meridian City Council hired a contractor for $600,000 in February 2005 to repair the dam. A federal grant covered $400,000 of the cost.

The park is slated to be the site of the proposed Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.

Jackson said that while repairs to the dam were being made, crews also were working to build an area where people can fish along the lower lake. He said an area of the bank, almost directly across from the public restrooms, will be built up so that fishermen are out of the way of walkers and joggers.

He said the city also would like to add a few trees and sand beds to provide a breeding area for fish. He said it is better to make those improvements while the lake is empty.

Meanwhile, logger Ralph Morgan continues to remove trees felled by Hurricane Katrina. Jackson said it will take some time to remove all the trees.

In order to refill the lake, Jackson said, there are plans to possibly drain some water from the larger lake. Of course, he is also hoping for a lot of rain to help with the refilling.

Jackson said Pierce Steel, who oversees maintenance at the park, and his crew planted more than 1,000 bulbs along the roadside at the park, which Jackson believes will make it an even more inviting place to visit.