Big Sky Owners Association Works to Progress Long Standing Pond Project
About the Little Coyote Pond and West Fork Restoration Project
For nearly a decade, Big Sky Owners Association has worked to move forward with plans to complete the Little Coyote Pond and West Fork Restoration Project in Big Sky’s Meadow Village. This project will improve water quality and enhance fisheries of the Little Coyote Pond and the West Fork of the Gallatin River. The restoration will also provide new recreational amenities in a recreational corridor that will benefit not only the BSOA membership but the community and visitors alike. The project will deepen and contour the Little Coyote Pond to maintain optimal conditions for fish growth and over-winter survival. The Pond will be taken off the West Fork stream to prevent siltation and maintain Pond depth. The stream channel will be restored for enhanced fish passage and natural sediment transport downstream. Recreational amenities in the project design include public access trails to and around the Pond which will improve overall connectivity to the existing trail segments in the Meadow Village area. The Pond construction also features a fishing dock with a handicap accessible boardwalk, a beach, picnic tables and public restrooms.
April 2024 Update on the Restoration Project: The West Fork River has been restored and separated from Little Coyote Pond, which is now flowing freely in its newly constructed streambank, and Little Coyote Pond is starting to look like a pond again. We're getting notes of springtime weather outside, which means that BSOA is closer to opening the Community Recreation Area for public use! With the construction of Phase I completed on schedule, the updated and finalized rendering of the project below embodies all phases of the project, including the recreational amenities and a new Community Recreation Facility. The proposed facility will house kayaks and paddle boats for rent, with restrooms and an upper deck for relaxing and viewing the water from above.
Over the past two years, the BSOA has been communicating and collaborating with local officials and community organizations in an effort to implement an emergency egress for Big Sky, as well as an evacuation plan in case of an emergency. During this time some progress has been made, however, due to the importance of emergency preparedness for the Big Sky community, the Board has decided to elevate the issue to the Governor’s Office.
Did you miss the most recent BSOA Newsletter? Not to worry, click on the button below to view the latest newsletter. If you're not on the mailing list sign up below.