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44 | P a g e Ownership: NGPC Potential Partners: NGPC Parks Division, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Upper Niobrara White NRD, Nebraska Environmental Trust. Valentine Hatchery Reservoir (Cherry County) The Valentine Hatchery Reservoir is 11 acres and lies directly below the Valentine Mill Pond on the Minnechaduza creek drainage. Sedimentation issues at the upstream Mill Pond is concerning for the long-term sustainability and aquatic habitat conditions in the Valentine Hatchery Reservoir. The Hatchery Reservoir has been extremely popular over the past several years with youth and the community of Valentine, due to the Mill Pond no longer providing fishing opportunities. The Hatchery Reservoir is also important to the state's fish production capabilities as it supplies the Valentine State Fish Hatchery with its water supply. Project development will depend on future plans for the Mill Pond as concerns with sedimentation and dam infrastructure are apparent. Goals: Habitat, Access Tasks: a. Remove dam boards every 3-5 years or when needed to flush sediment and install new dam boards. b. If Mill Pond dam is removed, investigate installation of a sediment catch basin or installation of a sediment bypass system. c. Improve shoreline access with bump outs, jetties and docks. Ownership: City of Valentine Potential Partners: City of Valentine, Middle Niobrara NRD, NGPC Planning and Programming Division. Willow Lake WMA (Brown County) Willow Lake is a 380-acre lake located in Brown County with above average depths for a Sandhills lake. Common Carp are currently impacting the aquatic habitat and water quality, which are inhibiting the fishery from reaching its potential. This project will create a better, maintenance-free outlet to handle the outflow, chemically renovate the fishery and investigate adding a barrier and berm enhancements to protect Common Carp from reentering the lake. Goals: Habitat, Prevention Tasks: a. Install new outlet like Swan Lake or similar fish barrier. b. Extend berm for the dam to the south to prevent overflow in a high-water event. c. Breach the existing dam for outlet construction and reduce water volume for chemical fish renovation.