Vandalism at Dingle Pond threatens to delay improvements
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Transportation.
POCATELLO – Vandalism is threatening to increase costs to the public and slow completion on a reclamation project at a former gravel quarry called Dingle Pond.
The pond site lies adjacent to the Bear River east of Dingle in Bear Lake County, according to a news release.
A bonfire in the parking lot of the project site sometime during the last month was just the latest incident at the site. People earlier reopened and used a road that was closed to vehicular traffic to protect the pond site and the ongoing environmental effort.
Improvements being made to the area by the transportation department will improve fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities and enhance the site’s value as wildlife habitat.
Improvements include the creation of additional open water, new riverfront access, providing walking trails, and installing a fishing bridge. Future improvements will include a handicapped-accessible dock provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
A pedestrian bridge also will be installed before the end of May.
Work at the pond is designed to restore wildlife habitat, protect water quality and provide better management of the pond, which was used by the transportation department as a source for gravel.
Improvements will offset environmental impacts made to other areas as a result of highway construction projects.
Since the 1990s, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has stocked the well-known pond with fish. ITD plans to work with Fish and Game to have a grand opening with a Family Fishing Day.