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The fish in Oxford Lake have some new rest stops along the bottom of the popular water venue, and they just happen to line the path to Eagle Scout status for the Oxford teenager who conceived of and designed the project.

Braden Doyle, 15, was recently joined by fellow members of Anniston Troop 4009, to construct and place 10 artificial fish habitats on the bottom of the lake.

The habitats are made with plastic work buckets, each drilled with 40 holes through which 20 five-foot-long tubes were inserted. With quick-drying concrete at the bottom of each bucket and the lids placed on top, the Scouts took turns paddling a small boat to the lake’s island, where the habitats were sunk into position and their locations recorded using GPS technology.

The tubes act as artificial tree branches which attract aquatic life by providing safe shelter, spawning areas, and feeding grounds, and are constructed using environmentally safe materials.

“I like to go fishing and I needed an Eagle Scout project,” Braden said. “I thought what better project there could be than building fish habitats for Oxford Lake. I asked the people at Oxford Lake if they thought they needed them, and they said ‘Yes.’”

Brian Doyle, an adult leader of the troop and Braden’s father, said he appreciated Oxford officials allowing the project to proceed and the contribution of supplies by Lowe’s.

Once Braden achieves his Eagle Scout status, he will become the third generation Eagle Scout in his family, following his father and grandfather, who had also attained the status.