Lucky Peak boating season to end 6 weeks early

Boating season at Lucky Peak Lake will end several weeks early this year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin lowering water levels at Lucky Peak on Monday, July 22, in preparation for repairing the Turner Gulch boat ramp beginning Sept. 1. All boating ends on Aug. 29.

The project will increase the safety of the 70-year-old ramp, fixing hazardous sections and installing erosion controls, but will cut short the lake’s boating season by six weeks, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation said in a news release.

The lower water levels will close most of Spring Shores Marina by the first week of August; the Army Corps of Engineers plans to begin refilling the lake after boat ramp repairs are finished on Nov. 1.

“The drawdown will be quick, but those wanting to get the most boating in before the ramps close will have most of August,” Surat Nicol, manager of Lucky Peak State Park, said in the release. “Please check our website and look for signs at the ramps for the latest information in case the schedule changes.”

The department included some key dates (as currently scheduled) and Spring Shores impacts:

· July 22 — Lake drawdown begins

· Aug. 1 — Boats in shallow slips recommended to be pulled from marina; lake down 15 feet

· Aug. 3 — Minimal level for marina, all boats should be pulled; lake down 20 feet

· Aug. 5 — Fuel dock closes; lake down 26 feet

· Aug. 8 — East Boat Ramp closes; lake down 36 feet

· Aug. 29 — West Boat Ramp closes; lake down 110 feet