The excavation of a new kids fishing pond at River’s Edge Park in Columbia Falls was expected to wrap up this week.

Schellinger Construction of Columbia Falls donated the excavator work to dig the 1.5 acre pond. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will stock it free of charge this spring with westslope cutthroat trout.

“The city is extremely grateful to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for its initial pursuit of a fishing pond in the Columbia Falls community and the partnership with the Flathead Land Trust for coordinating and funding the project. The fishing pond will be a tremendous asset to the community and a great addition to River’s Edge Park,” city manager Susan Nicosia said.

The city of Columbia Falls and the Flathead Land Trust received a $100,000 grant in 2017 from the LOR Foundation to work collaboratively on the pond and a trail project in the city.

“As the local, community-based land trust in the Flathead, connecting kids and their families to the outdoors through fishing at a new pond in River’s Edge Park is an exciting opportunity and something we’re very proud to be part of,” Paul Travis, executive director of the Flathead Land Trust said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks committed to helping fund part of the project through the Bill Kamps Memorial Fund. FWP plans to stock the pond annually with westslope cutthroat trout, while also promoting outdoor education and fishing activities. The city will seed down the edges of the pond. A path will eventually go around it as well.

“There were many individuals and groups invested in bringing family fishing to Columbia Falls,” said Mike Hensler, FWP Region 1 fisheries manager.

As host of local businesses stepped forward to help with the pond, including Hamilton Excavating, Sands Surveying, Applied Water Consulting and JD Thinning.