Shiloh conservation area treats storm water, offers fishing and picnic area

18 hours 47 minutes ago by Aja Goare - Q2 News

BILLINGS - A plot of land along Shiloh Road now features two ponds, park benches and paved trails, but it's not a park.

The conservation area is the first and only one of its kind in Montana.

It's designed to treat storm water and control flooding on the West End.

Following new state and federal requirements under the Clean Water Act, storm water must be cleaned before it goes to the Yellowstone River.

Grasses and man-made wet lands will naturally clean the water and remove the nutrients.

The $6 million project spans 70 acres of land and took four years to complete.

Funding will continue to come from storm water fees, but the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks also funds an urban fishery on the land, which features small bass and trout.

Visitors can fish in the ponds and the shelters are available for picnics.

Public Works Director Dave Mumford said it's important to respect the area, which opens to the public Thursday.

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Shiloh conservation area treats storm water, offers fishing and picnic area