Work began on the Niobrara State Park pond Tuesday as part of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s aquatic habitat plan.
The project in northeast Nebraska aims to seal the pond, install a well and install an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant fishing pier. Historically, the pond hasn’t been able to hold enough water to keep fish alive or support recreational activities.
“It would fluctuate so much that we couldn't maintain a fishery in there, so hopefully (the) public is going to be able to see a fishery that's maintained,” Jeff Jackson, the aquatic habitat program manager said.
Jackson said The Flatwater Group Inc. evaluated the pond. The Lincoln-based engineering firm looked at the pond’s watershed and basin to identify solutions for the inconsistent water levels.
As for fish, the commission is looking to maintain a fishery with bass, bluegill and channel catfish in the pond, he said.
The two main goals for the project, which are identified in the Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Plan summary, are habitat and access.
“One side of the lake was almost impossible for anglers to get to because it was just completely covered in cedar trees, so it was really hard to access,” Jackson said.
The park will stay open through the construction period, though the public should be cautious of trucks passing on the park’s roadways, he said.
“Hopefully we can expect the lake to be full of water and improve access,” Jackson said about what parkgoers can expect to see.
The project is expected to be finished this fall.