By Ron VandenBoom
The Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited continued improving recreational facilities on Fresno Reservoir Friday as they and a crew from Montana Power Company erected a light at the boat dock on Kremlin Bay.
Mike Badgley, one of the organizers of Walleye's on-going improvement project, said the cost of the light, including shipping, cost $1,745 and should be bright enough to light the ramp and boat dock area of the popular swimming and camping spot. The light is solar powered and activated, and will sit atop a pole that was also donated by Montana Power.
Badgley said that because there is no electrical power at the site the solar light was necessary and the only way they could illuminate the area.
"We got a nice area now and we got a nice road coming in here," Badgley said. "It's going to be a helpful thing for everybody."
Badgley credited the light with the ability to illuminate the area in such a way as to allow fishermen to find the dock at night and identify the sand bar hazards near the dock. It will also allow people with boats to find the ramp and the dock when unloading their boats in the evening.
Four Montana Power employees used their expertise and three of the company's trucks to help assemble, drill the hole, and erect the pole.
Funds for the project came from Fresno Chapter's annual banquet and other fund raising activities held throughout the year.
Contributions come from not just Havre people, but people from throughout the area who enjoy using the reservoir for fishing and recreation, Badgley said.
The project is one part of a two-year endeavor by Fresno Chapter working with the Bureau of Reclamation to enhance the facilities at Fresno. Other projects include a light at the south boat dock and a light by the bathrooms near the south dock.
Fresno Chapter also added "wave whackers" at the south boat dock earlier this spring that keep wave action to a minimum while boaters are loading and unloading at the dock.
Badgely said one of Fresno Chapter's future projects, along with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, will be the construction of an even larger concrete boat dock at the bay that he hopes will be completed in September.
Stan Huhtala, of the Bureau of Reclamation, will supervise the project, Badgely said.
Also on the drawing board, Badgely said, are designated camping spots at Kremlin Bay that possibly will offer fire places and gravel paths.
