Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 17, 2002
For more information:  Matt Snyder, 773-4230

LOW WATER LEVELS IMPACTING LAKE OAHE BOAT RAMPS

PIERRE – According to Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials, some Lake Oahe boat ramps will be affected by low water levels during the 2002 boating season.

Corps of Engineers officials report that mountain snowpack above Fort Peck Dam is only 87 percent of normal and only 84 percent from Fort Peck to Garrison. Water storage in the reservoirs is more than 9 million acre-feet lower than normal. The water level on Lake Oahe is expected to drop 2 feet in April. By the end of the month Lake Oahe is expected to reach 11 feet below normal. The lake is 4 feet lower than at this time last year. Unless runoff conditions improve, Lake Oahe water levels may be lower this spring than at any time since 1988.

"Game, Fish and Parks is aware of the problems low water levels will create for boat ramps on Lake Oahe, and we are prepared to implement a plan to maintain access for as many areas as possible," said John Cooper, Secretary of Game, Fish and Parks. "Several access areas have low water ramps that will be in service this summer. In addition, our department will implement an aggressive silt removal plan on functional boat ramp facilities on Lake Oahe." Siltation on boat ramps is a bigger problem to contend with in low water years.

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks maintains boat ramps at 18 areas on the east shore of Lake Oahe and 4 areas on the west shore. Of these, only two areas will likely be without usable boat ramps this summer--Okobojo Point on the east shore and Foster Bay on the west shore. "We ask that anglers and recreational boaters remain patient and courteous at the ramps," Cooper said. "Things will be a little slower during prime fishing times, but the ramps will be useable and boats will get into the water if everyone works together."

To obtain up to date information on the status of conditions on Lake Oahe boat ramp sites, visit the GFP website at www.state.sd.us/gfp/boating/rampconditions.htm.

"I encourage boaters to check the status of ramps before heading for Lake Oahe if they are uncertain of ramp conditions," Cooper said.

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