Ice Ponds
HISTORY:
With the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, fresh produce could be shipped eastward from California. Additionally, meat required refrigeration. This need gave rise to the use of “reefer” cars equipped with ice bunkers to cool the cars. To provide ice in 1887, the Union Pacific Railroad constructed extensive icehouses and ponds. In 1906, the Southern Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads formed the Pacific Fruit Company, which purchased among others, the Evanston, Wyoming Ice Facilities. The facilities closed in 1921 with the construction of a mechanical ice plant in Ogden, Utah.
The ponds, known as the “Bear Ponds,” received water by diversion from the Bear River. In order to provide clean ice, the ponds were kept free from snow in the winter. The ice when it attained the proper thickness would be cut into 22-inch “cakes,” which would be stored in the icehouses using sawdust as insulation. The Evanston facility featured two ponds, each approximately ten acres. The ponds were centrally located along the Union Pacific main line in downtown Evanston. The ice harvest season generally began towards the end of November and continued until early March. Men were organized into 10 teams, with individuals designated as either plowers, or cutters. Each plower had to provide his own team of horses, receiving $2.50 per day for his team, and $2.50 per day for his own labor. Cutters received the same $2.50 per day for their labor. Approximately 100 men were employed at the Evanston facility.
In the mid 1990’s the City of Evanston competed the initial phase of the BEAR Project Master Plan by stabilizing the Ice Pond dikes, re-constructing the diversion structure that diverts water from the Bear River to Ice Ponds. This resulted in once again filling the historic Union Pacific Ice Ponds that are now a center of the outdoor recreation in Evanston, and along the Bear River Greenway.
FISHING:
Fishing on the ice ponds is governed by the Wyoming Fish and Game Regulations. More information can be found on the their website at http://www.gf.state.wy.us
BOAT RENTALS:
Kayaks, Canoes, Paddle Boats and Life Jackets:
Public Boat Rental Rates: $5.00 per hour, $3.00 per half hour.
Public Rental Days & Times beginning June 11, 2007 through August 23, 2007:
Monday & Wednesday5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Private Group Rentals Rates: $45.00 per hour, $25.00 per half hour, Minimum 1 hour rental
Private Rentals Available by Reservation Only:
June 11, 2007 through August 23, 2007
Reservations for Private Group Boat Rentals are required a minimum 7 days in advance at the Recreation Center only, from 8:00 am. – 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday. Payment is required to make a reservation. No refunds, a credit will be given in the event of poor weather. For information call 789-1770. Fees includes paddles, lifejackets and Lifeguard supervision
Boat Rental Policies
An authorized Parks and Recreation staff person must be on site to rent a boat. Those 12 yrs and older may take out boats by themselves. Participants 11 yrs and younger must have someone 16 or older in the boat with them. Lifejackets must be worn at all times. Misuse of the boat will result in termination of the rental without refund. Waivers must be signed before using the boat. No food or beverages allowed in the boats.
