Nelson Reservoir docks get refurbished

The Malta Walleyes Unlimited, with the assistance of several volunteers, recently completed making repairs on the docks at Nelson Reservoir and the completion of the project, along with the water levels, has at least one Walleye member thinking the upcoming fishing season is going to be a great one.

"Everything I have seen leads me to believe that we are going to have a real good year," said Don Voegel, President of the Malta Walleyes Unlimited. "From the number of the walleye I saw in the winter time, it appears the lake is in very good shape and we are going to have a good spawn again this year, so I think we are looking ahead at an excellent fishing year."

Voegel said that the Montana Bureau of Reclamation had planned on doing some repairs on the dam at the head gates of the Nelson Reservoir, but according to Voegel, those plans have been scrapped this year.

"They were supposed to do it this year," he said, "but they didn't get their permits so that work has been postponed until next year."

Voegel said that when MBR does do the work to the dam next year that the water level will drop about 16 feet, but as soon as the work is complete, the water will be let back in and the water level will be back to normal.

"That work has been postponed," he said. "Though I'm not sure if most people are aware of it."

The dock at State Park had part portions of the under carriage bracing which had broken on two sides. The dock was raised reinforcements were welded on making the bottom of the structure flat. The rails on the dock were also replace and rubber bumpers were added to the State Park Dock.

The second dock, known as the North Dock at the head gates, a handful of rotted 2x4's were replaced and rubber bumpers were attached.

The third dock, at the west end, had a wheel on the under carriage which broke off. The team had to cut off the old assembly and re-weld a new set-up on to it.

Each of the docks are similar to a trailer on wheels. When the weather turns cold at the end of the fall fishing season, Malta Walleyes Unlimited goes to the reservoir and pulls each dock from the water for the winter. The Walleyes maintain the docks each year, but this year was a little more labor intensive than years past.

"This year was a little more involved than it has been, "said Voegel. "But it is something we have been doing for 20 or so years and we are happy to do it."

Walleye's Unlimited pays for most of the materials to refurbish the docks – though this year Murph's Landing donated welding materials – and all the labor is provided by volunteers.