Three years ago, after a major beautification, the Augusta Canal's lesser known third level was filled with promise.

Today much of the area from Seventh to 12th streets is once again filled with silt and weeds.

"Other than during heavy rain, there is no flowing water, and it's covered with silt and grass," said Canal Authority Director Dayton Sherrouse. "We'll have to clean it all out again."

The planned cleanup, which can begin as soon as excavation permits are obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, will help prepare the area for redevelopment that will include rewatering the channel and surrounding it with parks and trails.

"When we get it cleaned out this time, we're planning to get enough water flowing to keep it flushed out," Mr. Sherrouse said.

The canal's third level flows near the site of Augusta's new judicial center off Walton Way. Someday, Mr. Sherrouse said, the area will be gorgeous.

The authority plans to tap into $462,000 in local sales tax money the city will provide to expedite the cleanup of the channel. Repairs are also needed to a collapsed bank on a trailrace area near Enterprise Mill, he said.

"We proposed that the city turn the money over to us and we would get the repairs done," Mr. Sherrouse said.

Once the canal channel is cleaned out, planning will continue on a series of bicycle trails in the design stages, for which funding likely will come from federal Transportation Enhancement Act funds and local matching dollars, said canal authority chairman Bob Woodhurst.

The authority also remains in negotiation with Atlanta Gas Light Co. for property near the new judicial center site that could someday be transformed into a waterfront park accessible from the new government buildings.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.