Through a partnership between the Eagle Ranch Wildlife Committee and the Town of Eagle, a fishing pond just for kids is being constructed in Eagle Ranch. And it will be filled with trout, courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The pond will be constructed by deepening the existing pond adjacent to Brush Creek just south of Capitol Street. This pond was selected after consideration of several alternatives because of its location and water quality. Construction by Flywater Inc. based in Fort Collins, will begin Monday, August 3. Completion is anticipated in late August.

“Nearby residents and businesses need to be aware that there will be some significant odor during the early stages of construction, as material is dredged from the bottom of the existing pond and placed next to the pond for dewatering and removal,” cautioned John Staight, Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Eagle.

The project has consisted of a feasibility study (including geotechnical site evaluation), design and permitting, and ultimately, construction. Because the project will have no permanent impacts on wetlands, it did not require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Important features of the pond include:

• Stabilization of the bank between the pond and Brush Creek, to minimize the possibility of that bank being washed out
• Construction of a soft (crusher fines) path from the nearby bike path to the edge of the pond
• Deepening of the pond to allow fish to live (although it is not expected that fish will be able to over-winter in the pond)
• Construction of a concrete pad at the north edge of the pond suitable for wheelchair use
• Construction of two benches
• Installation of boulders along the edge of the pond
• Installation of a solar-powered aerator to help minimize algae growth and help ensure that the water is sufficiently oxygenated for the fish

Eagle Ranch Wildlife Committee also plans to install interpretive signage sometime after construction is complete.

Total cost of the project through all phases is estimated at $125,000. All of the construction costs will be paid from the Eagle Ranch Wildlife Fund, which is funded from a 0.2% transfer tax on all property transfers within Eagle Ranch.

The pond will be located on Town of Eagle Open Space and will be open to the public. But there will be a few rules. No fisherman over the age of 14 will be allowed to catch fish. Each angler is limited to two fish per day.

The Town of Eagle and the Eagle Ranch HOA have entered into a partnership under which the Town will take over maintenance of the pond following its construction. The Wildlife Committee will provide some funding to the Town for a limited amount of time to assist in the costs of maintenance. The Town and the Wildlife Committee hope that this will be the first of several joint projects to benefit the citizens of the Eagle.