The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract to construct a shallow water habitat backwater project at the Indian Cave State Park in Richardson County, Neb.
The Corps worked closely with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission while designing the backwater to ensure the project accomplished Missouri River Recovery Program goals while adding a feature to the Indian Cave State Park the public could enjoy.
The backwater project, which will add 20 acres of shallow water habitat adjacent to the Missouri River within the Indian Cave State Park, will provide feeding, spawning, and rearing habitat for the federally endangered pallid sturgeon and other native Missouri River fish species. The backwater will also provide habitat for native wildlife including waterfowl, shorebirds, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals such as muskrats and beaver.
“ Not only will this restoration project enhance the state park by providing shallow water habitat, ” states Indian Cave State Park Superintendent Kevin Holliday , “ it will provide quiet water fishing, primitive camping, and kayaking opportunities for the 200,000 people who visit the park each year.”
The contract was awarded to Big River Construction Company of Nebraska City, Neb. for $1.6 million dollars. Some clearing work will take place this winter to avoid potential impacts to nesting migratory birds. The remaining work, dredging and placing rock, will take place throughout the spring and summer of 2014 with anticipated completion in the fall of 2014.
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Press Release, November 22, 2013