BOULDER CITY, Nevada -Due to declining water levels at Lake Mead, launch ramps conditions have changed.
"Boaters should use caution when they launch at Lake Mead to ensure they're on solid footing," said Christie Vanover, public affairs officer. "The lake's elevation is at 1,079 feet today. This is unknown territory for all of us."
As the water declines and the condition of the ramps are revealed, crews are finding silt built up on top of ramps, which can cause vehicles to get stuck. In some locations, temporary concrete planks that have been resting 20-30 feet below the waterline have shifted and need to be readjusted.
In mid-May, contractors will begin installing permanent launch ramps. In the interim, the park's road crew is working diligently to repair what they can to maintain boating access.
The conditions as of May 1 are as follows:
Echo Bay: Conditions are favorable here. There are four lanes on solid concrete planks. This area is ideal for deep water launching.
Callville Bay: Two lanes with temporary pipe mat remain open. The two lanes with concrete planks have been closed due to shifting.
Boulder Harbor: The six-lane launch ramp is permanent concrete down to elevation 1,060 feet;however, the channel to exit the harbor is only three-feet deep. Use extreme caution.
Hemenway Harbor: One lane remains open. The other lanes are closed due to silt build-up.
Temple Bar: Launching is difficult because silt has built up over the pipe mat. Crews will be making repairs.
South Cove: This launch ramp should have solid launching the afternoon of May 1. Crews have been building up a drop off and replacing pipe mat.
Boaters may want to consider storing their boats on the water in a slip at Lake Mead. Callville Bay, Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Temple Bar offer this service.
At Lake Mohave all launch ramps are open with excellent launching.
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
