The Washington County Conservation Board announced Thursday that they had received an $11,250 grant to armor and protect the shoreline at Willow Pond in Washington. The grant comes from the Fish Habitat Stamp Fund which is funded by fees assessed when fishing licenses are purchased. The board plans to use the grant money to place large stones along 500 feet shoreline. The stones will help reduce shoreline erosion caused by the wind and create habitats for aquatic life.

Willow pond was rebuilt in 2011. The project removed sediment, replaced outlet structures and created habitats for the numerous types of fish the Iowa Department of Natural Resources provided when they restocked the pond. The project also helped create a recreation area along the Kewash Nature Trail.