Today the Fischer Pond Project is a collaborative project between the Idaho Fish and Game, the City of Cascade, and Cascade High School’s Advanced Biology Class. Our latest efforts have been focused on what is referred to as A Pipeline to Fischer Pond, which in short is our plan to improve the water quality of the pond. This pipeline will bring clean, oxygenated water to Fischer Pond- which is a small recreational fishing site found at on the south end of Cascade, Idaho. With the clean and oxygenated water we hope to ensure the trout survival in all seasons. The Advanced Biology class in currently working to pump water into the pond through a new pipeline which will feed into two separate streams which will then tumble the water inflow down a short series of constructed rapids to increase oxygen saturation. An outlet to the nearby North Fork of the Payette River will control the Pond’s depth (the pond French drains with the river) and increase circulation of the incoming water. The Advanced Biology class additionally working to build a water conduit to a new fish-viewing aquarium adjacent to Fischer Pond (see photos and planning), with water from the aquarium returning to the Pond by a meandering stream. The proposed improvements to Fischer Pond will have a positive effect on water quality, reducing algal mats and nutrient build-up while increasing healthy trout habitat. The project will result in a higher rate of trout survival, fewer unsightly algal mats and a better quality fishing experience for the public.
Note: The work being done today at Fischer Pond is a continuation of work
done in the years past, which includes the original dredging of the pond,
construction of a handicapped fishing dock, and a paved trail to access the
dock. Advanced Biology has also done some landscaping, installed benches,
signs, and completed various habitat improvement projects over the years.
See the history of the pond to fully grasp just what has been done. This is
not the final stage of Fischer Pond either. We are finishing up our water
quality project and drawing more plans for the students and community that
follows to work towards. Expect great things from Fischer Pond.
The History - A Walk through Time
Long ago the pond that the Cascade locals now know as Fischer Pond was a very
different place. In the late 90’s Idaho fish and Game Conservation Officer,
George Fischer, looked at a hole filled with trash on the outskirts of Cascade
Idaho. He formed a vision of a community fishing pond and wildlife recreation
area that it would soon become. After two years of looking for grants and
researching design plans, the pond finally came to life. The towns people
adopted the project and volunteered many hours of hard labor. Cascade High
School, the City Council, County Commissioners, DEQ, Fish and Game, County
Road Crew, and various excavators offered support as well. The City Council
christened the new recreation area “Fischer Pond” after George
Fischer, the one who made it happen.
Cascade High School’s Advanced Biology Class adopted the pond in the
Late 90’s and has been working with the community to create a more enjoyable
recreation area ever since. Over this time we have written many grants and
worked with many people to better the pond. Some additions that have been
made are the Handicap Access Dock, benches, the paving of the Handicap dock
trail, and habitat improvement projects.
More Recently the “Fischer Pond” group has received a grant in
the amount of $15,000 from Fish America and their partner Pro-Line Fishing
to invest in the pond. Plans were drawn and a big picture painted. The plans
were designed to improve the water quality of the pond. This past fall progress
was beginning to be made. A make-shift well was excavated in which we installed
two pumps which then pump water into two streams which were also constructed
in the fall. The two streams lead to and dish water into the pond after tumbling
over some constructed rapids which will increase the oxygen level in the water.
What the current class has done
-Two creeks and the foundation area for the aquarium were dug out.
-A hole was dug in the south-west corner of the pond in which the culverts
were going to be placed and pumps installed.
-The hole with the culverts was filled with a combination of dirt and rocks.
-both streams were lined with rocks
- the fly fishing pond was lined with rocks
-two bridges were constructed and installed
-the pumps were installed
