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43 | P a g e Smith Lake WMA (Sheridan County) Smith Lake is a 290-acre Sandhills lake located in Sheridan County. The outlet structure is nearly 75 years old and in poor condition. The concrete is falling apart along with the poor condition of the CMP pipe. Like many Sandhills lakes, bank access is inadequate due to the vegetative ring of cattails. The Bluegill and Largemouth Bass populations have declined due to recent winterkills and spawning habitat is compromised due to invasive aquatic vegetation. Goals: Habitat, Access Tasks: a. Replace outlet structure to improve sustainability of fishery. b. Improve shoreline access with bump outs, jetties and docks. c. Protect shorelines from erosion with jetties and rip rap. d. Enhance bluegill spawning habitat with the addition of gravel beds. e. Improve boat and angler access with maintenance to entrance road. Ownership: NGPC Potential Partners: Department of Roads, Ducks Unlimited, NGPC Wildlife Division. Soldier Creek and Crazy Horse Pond (Sioux County) Carter P. Johnson Reservoir was reclassified as a high-hazard dam resulting in the decision to remove the dam and complete restoration of Soldier Creek. The project will enhance angler access and aquatic habitat on Soldier Creek creating more stream access opportunities and improved water quality. The removal of Carter P. Johnson dam will leave Crazy Horse Pond unprotected from flooding and was additionally filled with sediment during the lake drawdown The project will restore the pond as a fishery with excavation, improved habitat diversity and angler access. Future flood and sedimentation protection will be addressed with a diversion structure. Goals: Habitat, Access, Evaluation Tasks: a. Increase instream habitat in Soldier Creek. b. Increase angler access to the stream and improve parking facilities. c. Remove Carter P. Johnson Dam and outlet structure and restore stream gradient through the decommissioned Carter P. Johnson Dam. d. Evaluate success at improving cool water stream habitat downstream of Carter P. Johnson after removal. Increase depth and habitat diversity of Crazy Horse Pond. e. Increase depth and diversity of Crazy Horse Pond f. Protect Crazy Horse Pond from flooding with a diversion dike while maintaining the water source.