NORTHERN COLORADO BRANCH
Since 1998
ASCE Careers
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Poudre Fish Ponds - Greeley
The Northern Colorado Branch is excited to embark on a very unique community service project. This year’s project is the design of the Poudre Ponds Recreational Fishery. ASCE Northern Colorado Branch engineers will have the opportunity to team with the City of Greeley Parks Department to complete the design and construction oversight of this project. The City of Greeley Parks Department has applied for a grant from the Colorado Division of Wildlife to fund this project. Other funding sources will come from public and private contributors. The ponds are located east of 35th Avenue on the Poudre River. Funding will be utilized to develop the 90-acre site as a public recreational fishery. This unique site previously functioned as a gravel mine and was purchased in 2002 by the Water and Sewer Department of the purpose of water storage and augmentation for the City of Greeley. In 2004, 1.5 million dollars in improvements were made to the site. Improvements included joining the two lakes, contouring the slopes for safe access, installation of a slurry wall, installation of a lift station and improvement to the inlet. Now that renovation is complete, the City of Greeley is interested in pursuing the property as an opportunity to provide a unique recreation experience that cannot be found locally.
In the spring of each year, the Colorado Division of Wildlife stocks the local park lakes with catchable trout and citizens rush to the lakes for the recreational fishing opportunities. Unfortunately, due to the shallow water profiles, the fish not immediately caught do not survive the winter months and the process must start again in the spring. This cycle provides about a month of suitable fishing within the City limits. The proposed improvements will increase the water depths at the Poudre Ponds to over 30 feet when the lake is full, providing an opportunity to establish a self-sustaining warm water fishery. Various types of fish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, blue gill, walleye, saugeye, tiger muskie, crappie and yellow perch will provide a variety of fishing experiences for the young and old.
Benefits will not be limited to fishing opportunities. Establishment of vegetation on the site will help to provide habitat while increased access will help to promote the adjoining Poudre Trail.
The scope of the community service project includes the design of parking and access from 35th Avenue and possibly 25th Avenue, mooring and installation of prefabricated ADA accessible fishing piers, trash and fish screen at the lake inlet, a small boat ramp for non-motorized water craft, concrete flatwork for shade structures and access to the Poudre Trail, the development of a revegetation plan and the placement and design of fish structure. Additional elements may include bridge design for access to the site. If the CDOW does not grant the City the funding for this project, the Northern Colorado Branch has an alternate community service project, partnering with Larimer County Parks and Open Space.
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