Belfry Bridge Boat Ramp Improvement Project Underway

The City of Cody moves forward with long-discussed improvements to the Belfry Bridge Boat Launch Recreation Area on the Shoshone River. The popular community and tourist destination for fishing, rafting, and hiking sees usage that has outgrown the existing facilities. Plus, the restroom system failed due to groundwater flooding.

Project History & Funding

Discussions about this project have continued for several years, with only a concept sketch to show for it. However, the project is now moving forward. Owned and maintained by the City of Cody, they have partnered with Wyoming Game and Fish to make improvements. Thanks to the foresight of Andy Quick, former city council member and owner of Gradient Sports, he could see the potential of visually and functionally raising the area to a level that would truly benefit the community. That vision has sat quietly, waiting, and it’s time to take it to the next step.

The City of Cody approached Sam Hochhalter, the Cody Region Fisheries Supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish, to see if they could help with funding. He makes funding decisions, such as this request, based on current use and demand, as well as whether the current infrastructure is inadequate or needs updating. For this project, it clearly fits with the WG&F requirements. “This boat ramp is an incredibly popular location for walking, wade fishing, and as a put-in and take-out for boating on the Shoshone. Having the opportunity to add to the community enjoyment through improvements benefits us all,” said Hochhalter.

Funding Secured

Due to the conversations, the City pursued a Wyoming Game and Fish (WG&F) grant, which allocated $150,000 to the project in its FY2026 budget. The City Council approved the original grant agreement in August 2025, then approved it again in October 2025, reducing the total to $115,000. The WG&F will be reimbursed for 75% of this through Wallop-Breaux funds collected through an excise tax to support the angling and boating communities. That also means no City match is required.

With funding secured, the City ran a Qualifications-Based Selection process. Five firms responded. A selection committee, including City staff, a WG&F fisheries supervisor, and local business owner Andy Quick, ranked Morrison-Maierle (M-M) of Cody first. M-M is teaming with QRS Consulting (Boise) and Recreation Engineering and Planning (Boulder).

Scope of Work

The project is structured in two phases. Phase I covers:

• Project management and a site visit
• Full field and topographic survey, including river bathymetry
• Two-dimensional HEC-RAS floodplain modeling and FPA coordination
• Preliminary design of improvements, including parking, boat ramp, ADA access, restrooms, shoreline features, and signage
• A Categorical Exclusion document is required to release federal funding.

Belfry Bridge Boat Ramp Draft Concept

Potential improvements will be prioritized by benefit-to-cost ratio, with parking/traffic, restrooms, and the boat launch treated as the minimum floor. Phase II will include final design and bidding documents, which will be negotiated as an amendment later in 2026.

Timeline & Next Steps

Phase I is expected to wrap up in 2026, with Phase II final design completed in 2027. The project could be construction-ready in late 2027 or early 2028, though no construction funding has yet been secured. City staff hopes a shovel-ready final design will strengthen any future grant applications that might be necessary. If total design costs exceed $115,000, additional funds would be drawn from the City’s Capital Acquisition Fund.

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