Construction is beginning this week at Wadsworth Pond to install rock along the banks. The rock will provide safer access points for the public, and also improve water quality for fish and wildlife by limiting the amount of sediment that washes into the pond. Rock will be installed in seven locations around the pond, creating safer access points to the water for the public, and protecting the banks from further erosion.
Great Falls Park & Recreation Department manager Kevin Vining says, “It'll be a big factor in erosion control. We're losing some silt back into those into the pond with these areas. So it's steadily eating away. This is going to restore that".
The Sun River Watershed Group (SRWG) acquired a Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Community Ponds Grant, which is largely funding the project, along with Montana Trout Unlimited, Missouri River Fly Fishers, and Walleyes Unlimited. The bank project is the first step by a collaboration of organizations to bring more amenities to Wadsworth Park.
Tracy Wendt, director of the Sun River Watershed Group, says, “Fish, Wildlife and Parks suggested these bank troubles, and said that addressing those might be a really good first step. It's a nice, easy project that people will see improvements on really quickly, and we'll be able to see how much support there is for improving the amenities out here at the pond. Wadsworth Pond is fed by the Sun River, and it serves our Great Falls community. We're really excited to be a part of this project and hopefully can be a part of future work.”
With an increase in visitors to the park, Park & and Recreation is planning further improvements to Wadsworth to make the park a community destination spot.
Future projects will include permanent bathrooms, improvements to the fishery, and planting more trees. Vining says, “We've steadily seen an increase in traffic out here. With that in mind, we are intending to make some improvements out here and get more amenities out here for the folks that are coming out”.
Construction on the banks will begin this week and is expected to last around two to three weeks. During that time, there will be large equipment and materials being moved, please be mindful of work areas around the pond when recreating.
While located just outside of city limits (4620 Wilkinson Lane), Wadsworth Pond is owned and managed by the City of Great Falls.
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