Echo Bay launch ramp to close May 11

Lake Mead National Recreation Area will close the boat launch ramp at Echo Bay on Wednesday, May 11 due to low water levels at Lake Mead, according to a National Park Service press release sent out on Friday, May 6.

The Echo Bay launch ramp was constructed for boat launching down to a lake level elevation of 1,060 feet. It has been extended in the past to accommodate recreational boating access. However, the lake level is now at 1,053.72 feet elevation. Due to a combination of the area’s unique topography constraints and continually declining water levels, the park anticipates the Echo Bay launch ramp will close indefinitely pending relocation.

That leaves very little places on the lake for recreational boaters to launch their crafts. Echo Bay was the only official launch point left on the Overton Arm of the Lake.  The launch ramp at Callville Bay, which could accommodate launches down to a lake elevation of 1,062 feet was closed in April. Launch ramps at Temple Bar and Boulder Harbor have been closed for some time now.

Recreational boaters are now only able to access Lake Mead from Hemenway Harbor where a single lane of pipe matting has been installed to extend the concrete ramp to the current water level.

Otherwise the only access points for boats are on Lake Mohave below Hoover Dam.

Boaters are encouraged to check launch ramp statuses before traveling to the park and to prepare for high congestion with longer than average launch wait times particularly during weekends.

“The National Park Service (NPS) uses the most accurate water level data available from the Bureau of Reclamation while assessing plans for longer term park operations as water levels continue to fluctuate,” the NPS press release stated.

“Ongoing drought and water requirements for a variety of uses including power generation and agriculture throughout the Colorado River Basin often make exact water level predictions and timelines difficult to determine, resulting in earlier than expected changes to park operations,” the release stated. “The NPS remains committed to providing safe and responsible access to water-based recreation activities at Lake Mead for the current and future boating seasons.”

The latest information on current boat launch and marina facilities can be found on the park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/news/lakeconditions.htm.

Projected water levels are released by Bureau of Reclamation on the 15th of every month and can be found at: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/24.mo.pdf.