Washington County • Akron, Otis
Akron Pond up and running just in time for warmer weather T
he weather is warming up and the Town of Akron has created the perfect spot for outdoor recreation. The newly renovated Akron Fishing Pond is up and running, just in time for spring and summer fishing and relaxing. Located south of Akron on Highway 63, just west of the Washington County Golf Course, the new pond has been a project almost seven years in the making. In May 2014, the initial survey was completed and the preliminary design was started by engineer Kyle Dorrenbacher, an Akron resident. Over the course of the next several years, the town received over $400,000 in grant funding from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), then began holding local fundraisers and in August 2018, conducted fish races at the fair and held a benefit dinner. Environmental engineering work happened in 2019, along with the construction of duck boxes by local Eagle Scouts. Despite a year of COVID, things really started to take shape in 2020. In January, the town began working with graduate students at the University of Colorado in Denver as part of the University Technical Assistance Program offered by DOLA. Construction contracts were awarded in February. With much of the world shut down in May, equipment moved in and fence closed the pond to the public to begin construction. Liner in the new pond was completed in July 2020 and water started filling the pond in August. In November, Washington County contributed $30,000 in Conservation Trust Fund dollars to be used for the new pond. Three solar aerators were added in November, and the pond was finally full. The Akron Pond Revitalization Project has been completed within
available, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Wray, Pueblo and Las Animas Hatcheries will stock fish in Akron Pond between May and August 2021, but it will be a few years before the hatchery-stocked fish are large enough to catch. Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to salvage redear sunfish and smallmouth bass from other waters and stock those in Akron Pond beginning in May 2021 to provide angling opportunities in the interim. Some of these fish will be large enough to catch, and some smallmouth bass may even meet the minimum size limit of 15 inches. The public is welcome to fish the pond anytime, but keep in mind that it takes time to build a Filling the Akron Pond after a renovation project took nearly three months quality fishery, so catch rates may from start to finish. (Photo courtesy Town of Akron) be low for some time until the stocked fish have a chance to initial budgeted expectations. With grow. If the right stocking strategy grants and town funds, the amount is used and fish are given time to paid is over $423,000 for the projgrow, fishing should be great for ect to date. Additionally, there years to come. were over $100,000 in-kind donaPer state of Colorado rules, anytions for engineering services, one 16 years and older is required excavation and other portions of to have a valid fishing license. the plan, which played a key part Those can be obtained from the in completing the project. Future Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s webimprovements include restroom site. Gas-powered boats are not facilities, a floating dock for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocked permitted on the pond, but canoes northeast point of entry, a natural and kayaks are allowed – lifejackthe Akron Pond with 48 redear sunplayground for youth, additional fish last October to establish a feed- ets are mandatory when on the signage by local Eagle Scouts and ing base. (Photo courtesy Town of water. If in boats, please be picnic area improvements. respectful of fishermen. No swimAkron) Parking is available on the east ming is allowed in the pond, and end of the pond, away from the any overnight stays require a pernewly planted grass, and the town do at Denver graduate students on mit from the Akron Town Hall. recreational development options is installing portable restroom Town officials urge people to use for that area. Additions such as facilities around the pond. caution walking on the riprap used picnicking opportunities, outdoor Signage with rules is posted at to protect the shoreline. Some recreation like horseshoe pits and the pond. Individuals are encourdoes have exposed rebar, so entera natural play area for youth are on aged to familiarize themselves ing the water from anywhere other the goal list to complete by the with them to ensure the pond than the entry points is discourend of the year. stays in good condition. Road aged. Last October, Colorado Parks access has been shut off to the The project has been a long time west side of the pond (old area) for and Wildlife stocked 48 redear in the making, and dreams and sunfish, collected from another the time being, but it is still availvisions are finally a reality. The able to foot traffic and open to hike body of water in northeastern Col- Town of Akron invites everyone to orado, to establish a feeding base around. The town is currently the pond to begin making memories to last a lifetime. working with University of Colora- for future fish. As fish become EXPLORE 2021 • MAY 21, 2021 • 9
