INDIANAPOLIS -- A major cleanup project will begin on the Indianapolis canal starting next week.

The city will drain the canal of algae and other plant growth on Monday. Crews will then come in with heavy equipment and machinery to remove sediment and debris.

They'll also safely remove fish and other organisms from the canal using a net and return them to the canal once the project is finished.

READ | From dumping ground to stomping ground: The history of Indianapolis' downtown canal

"This is actually a really good time of year to do it because it's colder outside, we had our first frost. There can be odors because you are removing vegetation and so we do like to wait until this time of year. The canal doesn't have as many users, it's not as active," Emily Mack, Director of the Department of Economic Development said.

The last time the canal underwent a comprehensive cleaning was in 2007. Officials recommend it be cleaned once every ten years.

The project will be done along the entire length of the canal and is expected to finish up sometime in March.

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