Feasibility Studies Suggest Removing Portions Of Concrete Chute On Little Goose Creek Would Have Aquatic Benefits But Would Come With a Hefty Price Tag

After more than 60 years, all or part of the concrete chute along the Little Goose Creek in Downtown Sheridan could soon be no more.

The chute was built in 1963 and is 50 feet wide by 10-to-13 feet in height and was designed to minimize flood damage potential.

The downside was that it also made aquatic migration more difficult and the area has become a poor refuge habitat for fish, and there’s a lack of aquatic vegetation.

A few years ago, the City of Sheridan partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District, to study and develop plans to remove all or part of the chute.

At a public meeting on Tuesday night (February 13th), representatives from the Corps of Engineers presented several feasibility studies on what could be done based on the studies that have been conducted.

Greg Johnson with the US Army Corps of Engineers says there’s a possibility that removing the chutes could also open the way to some recreational activity.

He adds there’s a lot to gain by removing the concrete, but it won’t be cheap.

“There’s definitely habitat restoration that can be gained that would justify a project. The projects are expensive, because unengineering that infrastructure, modifying the bridges, etc…that’s going to be 50-plus million dollars to do that, but it definitely looks like it would be a great project.”

Johnson adds the Corps should have a final report ready in about one year and then after that the next move would be up to the Sheridan City Council.