Parks staff presented updates on several master-plan projects and operations at a Williams County Park Board meeting, outlining schedules for paving and trail work and reporting water-quality samples that found blue-green algae in spots at Blacktail Dam.

Parks director Scott summarized progress at Lookout Park (an ADA parking slope correction and a rural water connection that required relocation of the planned connection), at Kotarey Dam (a capped leak on a waterline and drainage problems at specific campsites), and at Epping Springbrook Dam where staff aim to bid parts of the work this year and are weighing an earthwork reroute versus paving the entry road to reduce long-term costs.

On Blacktail, staff said the main campground roads are scheduled for paving either the week before or the week after Labor Day to complete the primary dirt work this fall; if weather cooperates, landscaping would follow in spring. Staff reported trail crews had cut and surfaced an estimated 6 to 7 miles of new trail across the property and that a drone shoot by contractor JE Dunn was planned to document progress.

The board heard that the Little Egypt (referred to as Little Egypt/Lisonbee Egypt in planning material) annual management plan must be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by March 31; staff said approval timelines mean construction is unlikely before 2027.

Parks director Scott also told the board the soil conservation district sampled water at Blacktail and found blue-green algae in a few spots; two early samples sent for lab testing are pending results. Staff observed that E. coli levels were normal in immediate outflow from the dam but rose substantially about a mile downstream, suggesting the source of elevated bacteria is downstream of the dam and narrowing the area for targeted remediation.

On recreational programming, the North Dakota Council on the Arts project under consideration will not be sited on park property; staff said they had worked with the council to identify an alternative location off park land and expect an update next month.

“There’s a lot of things changing. It’s really starting to come together,” Scott said about Blacktail’s construction and trails, adding later of seasonal staffing and workload, “I think we’re gonna get through this summer. I think we’re gonna make it.”

Board members asked questions about timing, drainage fixes and contractor schedules. Staff said the goal for the current construction window is to finish major paving by late fall and then complete remaining landscaping and restroom work next spring. The board set its next meeting for Sept. 16.