BOULDER CITY, Nevada -Park rangers are anticipating more than 100,000 visitors at Lake Mead National Recreation Area this 4th of July weekend. Here are the latest launch ramp conditions, safety tips and weekend events.
LAUNCH RAMP CONDITIONS
Launching conditions at Lake Mohave are excellent.
At Lake Mead, the water elevation is around 1,075 feet. All launch ramps are open, but most require a four-wheel-drive vehicle due to mud.
* Boulder Harbor - 8 lanes open on concrete ramp. Hazards have been marked in the center of the channel. Please exit the along the sides. Both the north and south sides of the channel are 6-8-feet deep. Hazards have been marked just outside the harbor to the south. Please use caution.
* Hemenway Harbor - Two lanes open on pipe mat. Four-wheel-drive recommended for one lane.
* Callville Bay - Two lanes open on pipe mat. Four-wheel-drive recommended for one lane.
* Temple Bar -One lane open on pipe mat. Four-wheel-drive recommended. For courtesy launch ramp assistance at Temple Bar, call marina staff at 928-767-3211.
* Echo Bay - One lane open. Four-wheel-drive recommended.
* South Cove - One lane open on pipe mat. Four-wheel-drive recommended.
SAFETY TIPS
Fireworks and Campfires
No fireworks are allowed within Lake Mead National Recreation, not even sparklers. Wood and charcoal fires are allowed in grills at developed picnic areas or campgrounds and at shorelines 100 feet from vegetation.
Alcohol
The consumption or direct possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person operating a vehicle or vessel is prohibited.
Weather
Temperatures are forecast to be near 110 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the weekend with a chance of showers Friday. If a monsoon develops, which can happen rapidly, those on the water should find a sheltered cove or shore. Launch ramps become crowded after storms arrive. It's also wise to write down current GPS coordinates, so rescue crews can locate you more quickly. If flash flooding occurs on land, visitors should seek high ground.
Life jackets
Life jackets save lives. Because lake conditions can change in an instant, rangers recommend always wearing a life jacket while swimming.
Blue-green Algae
Algae are still present on both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The algae may appear as green or yellow streaks or scum on the surface of the water or as green globs or streaks floating below the surface. Some blue-green algae may produce toxins harmful to people and pets. At least one-third of lakes in United States that are larger than 10 acres have these toxin producing algae, and this trend is increasing worldwide. To report algal blooms or illness, call 702-293-8998. To report a medical emergency, call 702-293-8932.
* Do not swim, dive or contact water in areas with algae.
* Do not drink untreated lake water.
* Keep pets and children out of areas with algae.
* Clean fish well, and discard guts.
* Rinse off with clean water after swimming.
WEEKEND EVENTS
4th of July Parade
National Park Service rangers and Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees are teaming up to parade through Boulder City at 9 a.m. July 4 during the annual Damboree Celebration “Great Americans: The Next Generation." Come out to view law enforcement vehicles and vessels, fire vehicles, the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership mobile exhibit and a fish tank truck. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area headquarters will also be open during the parade at 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City.
Ranger Chat: Public Lands -Treasures of Southern Nevada
Stop by the Lake Mead Visitor Center at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 4 to learn about the variety of public lands that surround the Las Vegas Valley. Call 702-293-8990 for more information.
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
