One of the biggest Aquatic Habitat rehabilitation projects we are working on right now is out at Ft. Robinson. Yes, that is way out in northwest Nebraska, and yes, you should make a trip there sometime! There are a lot of fishing opportunities in and near Ft. Robinson, as well as a ton of other things to see and do. Oh, and it is some of the purdiest country in the state!
Some of the fishing my family and I have enjoyed out there over the years has been on the variety of small ponds that are on the fort area. Those ponds have been there for a lot longer than I have been around and needed a variety of rehabilitation work–outlet structure repairs, sediment removal, access improvements, etc.
Whenever we start an Aquatic Habitat rehabilitation project, it seems like it takes forever to complete all the planning, permits, funding, and then finally get to work. Then “mother nature” trumps everything, and well, it seems like projects never get done. But, they do. Let me show you a few photos from this spring:
Grabel Ponds
My co-worker out in the panhandle, Justin Haag took some great photos of the work done at the Grabel Ponds. You may have seen some of these photos already, Justin shared them on FaceBook. I asked him if I could steal some. Thanks, Justin!
Cherry Creek Pond
Near the Grabel Ponds is the Cherry Creek Pond. Last fall after draining, here is what it looked like. This shot is looking across the dam:
You can see a lot of siltation over the years and not much depth.
Work is not as far along on the Cherry Creek Pond, but you can see progress!
Work on the Grabel Ponds will be finished in the coming weeks. Then re-filling will take place and fish will be re-stocked soon after. Bass, bluegill and trout will be stocked into those small ponds.
There are actually two phases to the Ft. Robinson Aquatic Habitat rehabilitation project, and this is just phase I. Work will shift to Lake Carter P. Johnson and the Crazy Horse Dam, as work on the Grabel and Cherry Creek ponds is completed, . That work may start later this year.
The post Ft. Robinson Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation Project appeared first on Nebraskaland Magazine.
