WINNEMUCCA — Currently it’s a cow pasture off Reinhart Lane, but in the future it may be an urban pond where families can gather to fish and picnic.

Doug Cain, who is a Winnemucca City Councilman and director of buildings and grounds for Humboldt County, was recently before the Humboldt County Commission to outline his idea and ask for sponsorship on the project.

Cain said, “I really think it’s going to be a great place for the community.”

The sponsorship was necessary to pursue Question 1 grants, and the commission voted unanimously (Monday, Feb. 6)  to sponsor the project.   Question 1 funds are money set aside by the State of Nevada for conservation projects. The Question 1 funds that will be pursued for this project will come from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Cain said the project has long been on his mind, and he even approached the council with the idea. However, it wasn’t until he found the right location off of Reinhart Lane that things began to come together.

The location is perfect for the project, he explained, because there’s a water source nearby owned by NDOW, and the landowner, Jim Kinney, has agreed to let organizers use a piece of his property for the project.

Cain explained the pond would be about an acre in size and be approximately eight feet deep at its deepest point. NDOW would stock the pond with native fish. The surrounding area would be covered with gravel, as opposed to concrete, would have covered picnic tables, and landscaping.

The power needs for items such as lighting and the irrigation to water the trees would – best case scenario – come from solar power.

Cain said, “I want it to be a nice place where people can go and watch their kids fish. I

see kids on the river trying to fish and either they’re not fishing for the right thing or there’s nothing there. That’s frustrating. With this pond we’ll be able to keep their interest up.”

The project will not be finished this year as there are several issues to work out, including NEPA paperwork for the bathrooms. In the mean time, Cain will be approaching area industry for assistance with what’s needed – including materials and labor. They’re also working on a plan to keep carp out of the pond. Carp have turned several Humboldt County fishing holes into mud holes.