Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area - NEWS RELEASE


National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior	Lake Mead National Recreation Area	601 Nevada Highway Boulder City, NV 89005 702 293-8907 702 293-8936

Lake Mead NRA News Release

May 30, 2002
For Immediate Release
Karla Norris, 702-293-8947
Karla_Norris@NPS.gov

Launch ramp updates for Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead water elevation is currently at 1164 feet. Projections are for levels to reach 1159 feet by September 2002, dropping to 1144 feet by July of 2003.

Ramp inspections are being conducted daily with repairs made on a continuous basis. Extra staff is on duty during the weekends when traffic is greater. Rangers warn that visitors should show caution at all launch ramps, being alert for holes, mud, silt and debris. As of May 28, 2002 conditions are as follows:

Lake Mead

Lake Mead Marina
Three to four lanes on the Lake Mead Marina launch ramp are open for launching, but are limited to smaller boats.

Overton Beach
Two to three launch lanes are available.

Callville Bay
The south side of the ramp is open. Eight launch lanes are available. Be aware that wait times, particularly on the weekend, may be lengthy.

Echo Bay
Four to five launch lanes are open.

Hemenway Harbor
Six to Eight lanes are open for both shallow and deep water launching.

Las Vegas Bay
Five to six launch lanes are open, but due to shallow water, only smaller vessels should be launched.

Temple Bar
Smaller vessels, personal watercraft and fishing boats may launch along the dock, deep water launching is marked with a sign pointing to the west side of the ramp. Four to five lanes are open and even on weekends, there is typically a very short waiting line for launching.

South Cove
While launch conditions are considered to be good, there may be a shortage of parking, particularly on busy weekends. Three lanes are currently open for launching.

Government Wash and Pearce Ferry launch ramps are closed

Lake Mohave Low water conditions have not affected the launch ramps on Lake Mohave. There may be a shortage of parking during peak periods. Waiting time to launch or retrieve vessels at Cottonwood Cove or Katherine Landing may be 2 hours on a weekend.

Navigational Aids Updates: Reef markers were placed in the shallows near Lake Mead Marina. A damaged reef buoy was replaced at Beacon Bay Reef and a new reef buoy was placed on the west point of Deadman's Reef. Four new "no wake" buoys were placed in Gregg's Basin. A lighted mid-channel buoy was installed east of Bighorn Island in the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. "No wake" buoys were relocated near Virgin Island. Two reef buoys were relocated in Overton Beach Harbor. Three "boats keep out" buoys were relocated in Echo Bay Harbor.

Park crews are giving top priority to on-going maintenance of launch ramps. Mud and debris are removed weekly, with each launch ramp receiving maintenance on a rotating basis.

Safety Advisory: People are encouraged not to park along roadways or in no parking zones.

With lowering lake levels, new beach access is being exposed. However, there are reports of vehicles becoming stuck in the silt or sand. Exercise caution in these areas and remember that off road vehicle use is prohibited within the recreation area.

There are extremely shallow conditions and shifting sandbars beyond Boundary Point. A signed vessel is anchored at the point at which water levels become hazardous.

For updated information, telephone (702) 293-8907 or check the low water website at http://www.nps.gov/lame/lowwater.html.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park Service.

-NPS-

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