Lake options are shrinking for boaters - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2014-08-27

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lack of incumbents, pot issue draws 10 for Medford council races Asphalt plant opponents frustrated during appeal Superintendent welcomes staff to a new school year Medford man gets three-year prison sentence for robbery, assault Auditions planned for 'Alice in Wonderland' Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford man gets three-year prison sentence for robbery, assault Central Point man arrested after road rage leads to threats, gunfire Emergency services Clemency still sought for husband killer Neighbors say man shot by police was veteran suffering from PTSD Politics and Elections Lack of incumbents, pot issue draws 10 for Medford council races Council members in Gold Hill dodge voter recall Bill Pullman campaigns for Oregon GMO labeling law Two races set for Ashland council positions Five to compete for three City Council seats Education Superintendent welcomes staff to a new school year Safe haven: Art program provides a place for youth to express themselves Sacred Heart School gets new principal Medford School District considers gifted land for new school Loan default rate threatens Umpqua student aid Environment Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message OR-7 could be recollared next month Deadly deer virus may be spreading Talent earns Bee City USA designation Those without senior water rights left high and dry State news Nation - World Obituaries Colton Taylor Webster Joe Raymond Burchfiel Death Notices David Michael Coberly Ruth R. 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All four boat ramps at Howard Prairie and the three at Hyatt Lake are closed. At Emigrant Lake, one of the two boat ramps is closed. Steve Lambert, manager of the Jackson County Parks Department, said people with small, aluminum fishing boats, canoes or kayaks have identified a rocky shoal accessible through campsite No. 11 at Willow Point Park on Howard Prairie where they can launch their crafts. “It’s definitely a user-beware, use-at-your-own-risk type of boat ramp,” Lambert said. “Other areas are too muddy for folks to back into and either not deep enough or too shallow to get boats on and off trailers.” Travis Reeder, who does maintenance work around Hyatt Lake, said boaters — but mostly kayakers — have found a bank near the Hyatt Dam where they can lower boats into the water. “But I only see maybe two boats a day, max,” he said. The water is so low this year that those with bigger boats are heading to deeper lakes, including Lost Creek, Applegate and Willow lakes, Lambert said. The elevation of Howard Prairie Lake is currently 4,501.6 feet, whereas full-pool is 4,527 feet. “The last time the water was this level was in 2002,” Lambert said. “It seems like it’s on a 10-year cycle. It also hit a low in 1991 and 1992.” As of Friday afternoon, Howard Prairie was 36 percent full, Emigrant Lake was 29 percent full, Hyatt Lake was 15 percent full, Fish Lake was 22 percent full, Fourmile Lake was 10 percent full and Willow Lake was 77 percent full. As of Tuesday, Applegate Lake was 52 percent full and Lost Creek Lake was 61 percent full, and all boat ramps at both lakes were accessible. In a Facebook post Friday, Jackson County Sheriff’s Marine Division warned boaters that the shallow water has created “navigational hazards” that are difficult to mark due to daily changes in the water level. “Say we mark a rock that’s two inches under the water,” said marine Deputy Jason Denton. “The next day, it could be sticking out of the water 14 inches.” “We can’t constantly go around and move markings so there are low-water warnings at all boat ramps,” Denton said. In addition to wearing life jackets, Denton said, boaters should make it a priority to have a depth finder on board and keep a sharp eye out for rocks, stumps and mud bars. Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt. By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 15, 2014 @ 6:35 pm »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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