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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... New boat ramp construction closes Indian Mary Park to rafters, anglers GRANTS PASS — Construction of a new boat ramp will be begin at Indian Mary Park Monday, closing the popular site to Rogue River rafters and anglers until early September. Comment By Jeff Duewel MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Posted May. 14, 2010 at 2:00 AM By Jeff Duewel Posted May. 14, 2010 at 2:00 AM » Social News GRANTS PASS — Construction of a new boat ramp will be begin at Indian Mary Park Monday, closing the popular site to Rogue River rafters and anglers until early September. Small, light boats that can be carried, such as inflatable kayaks or small rafts, will still have access to the river at Indian Mary, but larger boats that travel on trailers will have to use Hog Creek, several miles upstream, or Ennis Riffle, downstream. The shift could put extra pressure on Hog Creek's ramp, which was upgraded a few years ago. Indian Mary Park is Josephine County's most popular park in the summer, heavily used by vacationers, many of whom float the river. The ramp will be moved 250 feet downstream to a naturally protected spot. The existing ramp is located in fast water and can be difficult to negotiate. It's also difficult during low flows, when drift boats sometimes have to be dragged through shallow water to reach the current. "It's going to be an excellent launch spot," said Mike Cooley, who consulted with the Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on the project. Cooley is a member of the Middle Rogue Steelhead chapter of Trout Unlimited, which helped with the Hog Creek upgrade. The club will also do revegetation at the Indian Mary project, and donated $3,000 to support it. "The old launch has become unsafe to use in the fall during low water, during heavy use by fishermen," Cooley said. The old ramp will be removed, a requirement of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The cost of the project is $277,000. The maneuvering area for trailers will be expanded, along with seven new trailer parking spots and a handicapped parking spot. A new restroom also will be installed. Cooley said the brush along the river has been used as a toilet by some anglers who don't want to hoof it uphill about 200 yards to the restroom. "It'll be a problem if it's not open by fall chinook salmon season, but I think it will happen," Cooley said. D. Britton Enterprises, based in the North Valley, is the contractor. Jeff Duewel is a reporter for the Grants Pass Daily Courier. Reach him at 541-474-3720 or [email protected] By Jeff Duewel MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Posted May. 14, 2010 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501