Local volunteers seek long‑term steward for Blackbird Island pond after flood damage

Mike W., representing the Icicle Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited, told the Leavenworth City Council study session that Blackbird Island pond—built around 2004 with grant funding and a one cubic‑foot‑per‑second non‑consumptive water right—has been a local fishing spot for children, visitors and residents but suffered infrastructure damage during December floods.

He said the project relied on a past PUD juvenile‑fish program that ended about 2018 and that, since then, volunteers and a small Trout Unlimited chapter kept pumps and intake working by replacing equipment and donating labor. "We replaced pumps that cost around $12,000 and raised about $19,000 last year," Mike said, adding that spring fundraising and a recent commitment pushed community support higher but that flood damage and aging infrastructure mean the group cannot guarantee long‑term operation without a steward.

Trent Jackson, a local contractor and volunteer who started a GoFundMe and led cleanup work, provided a progress update. Jackson said volunteers removed roughly 200 cubic yards of debris and logged more than 175 hours of volunteer and contractor time; local businesses and donors helped raise more than $20,000 toward repairs. "We're close to reopening," Jackson said, "but we're still waiting on an intake and a couple of parts that will get wet."

Kenichi, identified as executive director of the Wanchi River Institute, proposed that his nonprofit could manage the pond’s day‑to‑day plumbing and land stewardship, provide staff on call to keep pumps running, organize volunteer work parties and offer educational programming to connect children with conservation. He estimated annual operating costs at about $20,000 if the institute administered the program and would not need to hire full‑time instructors to run the site.

Councilmember Rob and other members asked practical questions about when fish would be available and how operating and capital costs would be covered. Staff and presenters clarified that fish remained in a hatchery pending intake replacement, that community donations were funding short‑term repairs, and that a longer‑term stewardship plan would help identify recurring funding sources. Rob urged referring the matter to the parks and public works committee to define a primary steward and funding mix.

The presenters asked the council to consider modest city support—such as an annual budget line item or assistance coordinating in‑kind resources—while volunteers and the River Institute handle operations. The council did not take formal action at the study session; members recommended committee review and follow‑up to identify a stewardship lead, funding plan and any capital needs before committing city operating dollars.

Next steps: staff and the groups present at the meeting expect to bring a stewardship plan and a parks/public‑works committee referral back to council for discussion and potential action.