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Lord Lake (McKelvie National Forest) (Cherry County)
Lord Lakes are a chain of smaller lakes in the Steer Creek drainage on Samuel R McKelvie
National Forest. The largest of these waterbodies is Lord Lake, which is 15 surface acres.
Overall goals are to improve angler access, fish habitat and maintain proper water levels.
Bank access is nearly non-existent in these Sandhills lakes due to both emergent and
submergent aquatic vegetation.
Goals: Habitat, Access
Tasks:
a. Improve water level control with installation of seven new outlet structures
throughout complex.
b. Improve bank access with selective tree removal and aquatic vegetation control
measures.
Ownership: U.S. Forest Service
Potential Partners: U.S. Forest Service, Ducks Unlimited.
Merritt Reservoir SRA (Cherry County)
Merritt Reservoir is 2,905 surface acres with 44 miles of shoreline. Irrigation drawdowns
averaging around 14 feet from May through September expose shorelines to erosion and
lateral drift of sediment. Submerged trees have decomposed, reducing this once abundant
aquatic habitat, and sedimentation has caused concerns along the western portion of the
dam between the main boat ramp and new breakwater at Willow Cove. These areas have
reduced depths which can limit Walleye brood stock collection efforts.
Goals: Habitat, Access, Evaluation
Tasks:
a. Reduce sedimentation along steep, sandy banks throughout the reservoir by
armoring selected areas of shoreline. Priority is the protection of the shoreline
from the dam west to Powderhorn arm.
b. Increase available Walleye spawning habitat.
c. Improve shoreline access with bump outs, jetties and docks.
d. Improve boating access by removal of sediment between main boat ramp and
new jetty at Willow Cove.
e. Add fish habitat with cedar trees and artificial structures.
f. Evaluate historical sedimentation and shoreline erosion.
Ownership: Bureau of Reclamation
Potential Partners: NGPC Parks and Wildlife Divisions, Bureau of Reclamation
