By Davi Stuhlsatz

 HAYSVILLE – Riggs Pond has undergone improvements that will please both fishermen and beauty lovers.

“For the first time in 20 years, the pond has been dredged, cleaned out and then restocked,” said Randy Dorner, director of Public Works. “Silt in the pond had resulted in some areas only being a foot deep. Now it’s all between eight and nine feet.”

The pond was stocked through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s restocking program.

The pond reopened two weeks ago, but is under a temporary fishing ban, from June 27 to July 4, to prepare for a July Fourth fishing derby.

A new two-horsepower fountain was installed to add to the lake’s beauty.

“It has multiple, changeable jets, with four or five schemes and lighting, so it looks pretty at night, too,” said Dorner. 

Dorner said the fountain was operational as of this past Thursday, with red, white and blue lights in preparation for the Fourth.

The light colors can be changed to suit the season. The fountain is located in the middle of the pond, directly north of the gazebo.

The $5,000 fountain will help with oxygenation of the water in addition to providing beauty.