Byline: Jeff Swiatek

Oct. 5--The Downtown Canal is going to bare all.

For the first time, it will be drained for cleaning in a radical attempt to stem its slow choking by algae and aquatic weeds.

The $423,000 city-funded project, which should start next month, will temporarily transform the urban waterway into a sludge pit.

"We just ask people to bear with us during this process," said Terry Merrell, of contractor Merrell Bros., who jokes about what might turn up in the murky depths.

"We're hoping to find Nemo," he said. "Or a treasure chest."

The canal's mere 4 feet of water isn't supposed to hide anything, but plant life more reminiscent of the ...