DWR EXTENDING BOAT RAMP AT LOAFER CREEK
OROVILLE » With extremely low water levels at Lake Oroville, boat ramps surrounding the body of water have been unable to provide access to the lake for the public.
The California Department of Water Resources announced Friday that it would be extending the Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramp deeper to mitigate the issues.
“Historic low lake levels at Lake Oroville are allowing DWR to extend three lanes of the Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp farther into the dry lakebed,” the newsletter released by DWR said. “Work to create the new boat launch lanes will begin the week of Oct. 4 and will continue until winter precipitation causes lake levels to rise.”
The launch being extended is still relatively new as well, as it was completed in spring 2021. It provides six launch lanes at a length of 702 feet. The extension will increase the launch to 799 feet.
“The Loafer Point Stage II facility is adjacent to an existing Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating and marina store. Additionally, immediate access to the wide-open waters of Lake Oroville makes Loafer Point a popular boat launching location,” the newsletter said.
Construction has already begun at the launch with excavators and bulldozers preparing for the extension. Many of the roadways near the launch as well as the Loafer Creek Campground and ramp accessways have been blocked off and barricaded, mostly due to the gap between the edge of the ramps and the water itself.
“Visitors and nearby residents are reminded to be aware of construction equipment and vehicles, including those entering and exiting the Loafer Creek Recreation Area at Oro-Quincy Highway,” the newsletter said.
DWR Senior Engineer for the Oroville Field Division Andrew Bambauer said the construction is expected to continue through fall and into winter in an effort to make the ramp as low as possible before the winter rains bring the water level back up.
Other projects
The newsletter went on to explain the Palermo Tunnel Bulkhead Project which consists of reinstalling a refurbished bulkhead to control the flow of water at the Palermo Tunnel Intake Structure.
“A frame and pulley system to make future installations easier will also be installed. The work will be done from a barge on the lake positioned near the Hyatt Powerplant intake structures,” the newsletter said.
A new map has been released showing the trails surrounding Lake Oroville, the Feather River, the Thermalito Diversion Pool, Forebay, Afterbay and the Oroville Wildlife Area.
The map can be picked up at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, the Oroville Wildlife Area office and the Oroville Chamber of Commerce.