OutdoorNebraska

20 | P a g e Elm Creek WMA (Webster) Elm Creek WMA contains several freshwater springs that provide cool water to the lower 3.5 miles of Elm Creek which support trout. Evaluate the potential of improving the spring fed wetland area and associated tributary that feeds Elm Creek, to provide additional trout supporting water on the WMA. Goals: Habitat, Access, Evaluation Tasks: a. Investigate methods to enhance the existing springs and associated wetlands on the WMA to provide improved trout-supporting water that is not impacted by high stream flows in nearby Elm Creek. b. Improve stream habitat and angler access along stream with bank protection and flood plain connectivity. Ownership: NGPC Potential Partners: NGPC Wildlife Division, Trout Unlimited Elwood Reservoir WMA (Gosper County) Pumps have traditionally been used to deliver water to Elwood Reservoir. This water delivery system has maintained a much lower abundance of undesirable fish species than what is found at its water source (Tri-County Supply Canal). The irrigation district is scheduled to replace these pumps with the E65 Canal, which will potentially allow more undesirable fish species to freely enter the reservoir. The evaluation and development of a screening mechanism at the canal diversion will help to maintain the sportfish population within the reservoir. Goals: Access, Prevention, Evaluation Tasks: a. Evaluate the installation of a fish screen at the headgate of the E65 Canal to reduce undesirable species from entering the E65 Canal and Elwood Reservoir. b. Develop new angler access at the location where the new canal is proposed to enter the reservoir. Ownership: Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Potential Partners: Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, NGPC Wildlife Division, Tri-Basin NRD. Fort Kearney SRA (Buffalo County) Fort Kearney SRA is located 8.6 miles southeast of Kearney and offers public fishing over 21 surface acres of water in seven sandpits. Terrestrial vegetation and steep gradients along surrounding shorelines hinder angler access and littoral fish habitat. Target removal of

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