Posted on January 31, 2024
Work is underway on a $9.25 million project to improve fishing and aquatic habitat on the state’s second largest lake.
Construction began last month at the 13,000-acre Harlan County Lake to remove sediments that blocked access to the popular Methodist Cove near Alma and create spawning and overwintering areas for fish.
Removal of invasive species, including salt cedar, is also part of the work, a joint project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Other work, according to a press release from the Corps, includes excavation and dredging to create fish passage and spawning areas, installation of breakwaters and rock groins to control erosion and deposits of sediment and the installation of artificial structures and vegetation to improve aquatic habitat.
Cedar trees removed during the project will be used to create fish habitat within Methodist Bay.
Construction work is scheduled to continue through 2024 and into early 2025. Access to Methodist Cove and surrounding public lands may be restricted.
