SHREVEPORT, La. — Families gathered at Ford Park on Friday evening to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cross Lake with a community event featuring an outdoor movie, food and a fireworks display over the lake.
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The celebration came on the eve of Independence Day and recognized the century-long role Cross Lake has played as Shreveport's primary drinking water source and a popular destination for recreation.
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Before the fireworks, attendees spread blankets and lawn chairs for a free outdoor showing of National Treasure. The evening concluded with a fireworks show over the lake.
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"I like it. We've always wanted to try an outdoor movie, so it's very nice and calming," one attendee said. "Just being out here with our family — it's family-friendly."
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Earlier in the day, city leaders gathered at Valencia on Cross Lake to commemorate the milestone and reflect on Cross Lake's impact on the community.
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Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the decision to create Cross Lake a century ago continues to benefit Shreveport today.
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"The decision that was made 100 years ago to build Cross Lake has benefited this community in so many ways," Arceneaux said. "It has provided flood protection and a reliable source of drinking water, and it has served us well for the past 100 years. Shreveport could not be what it is today without Cross Lake."
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Brandon Snead, interim director of Shreveport Water and Sewerage, said protecting the lake remains a daily responsibility.
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"A big part of our Environmental Services Division's job is maintaining and protecting the Cross Lake watershed," Snead said. "They monitor it every day, conducting their own sampling and analysis. It's our responsibility to protect this body of water for generations to come."
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Cross Lake, completed in 1926, is recognized as the oldest man-made lake in Louisiana. In addition to supplying drinking water, it provides opportunities for boating, fishing and other outdoor recreation, making it one of Shreveport's most significant natural resources.
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The centennial celebration was part of the city's broader Fourth of July festivities, bringing residents together to honor both the lake's history and its future.
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