08-21-2004, 05:00 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. - With the water level dropping 1.5 inches per day, Angostura Reservoir is quickly closing in on numbers not seen in 40 years. Currently, the reservoir is 19 feet below capacity, and Willy Collignon, manager of Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs, estimates that by Labor Day it should drop to 21.5 feet below.[/size]
[size 2]"Even though water levels are down, there is still plenty of water to play and fish in," says Collignon. "Some of the depths over the river channel are still 40 feet deep, and crews are constantly working to give boaters access to the water."[/size]
[size 2]Facilities most affected by the low water levels are the reservoir’s boat ramps. Typically, the reservoir has seven ramps. Now it is down to two.[/size]
[size 2]Those two ramps, which are expected to stay open through Labor Day, are the permanent low water ramp in the North Unit and the temporary low water ramp in the South Unit. [/size]
[size 2]In the North Unit, the ramp is a 34-foot wide concrete ramp with two lanes and a dock. The South Unit has a temporary ramp built out of 12-foot by 1-foot concrete plank. This ramp has a stronger grade, so Collignon recommends using a four-wheel drive vehicle.[/size]
[size 2]"We will keep extending these ramps a few more feet every week to follow the water and to allow for safe use for boaters," he said. "Angostura started off at a di
vantage, at eight feet below full pool at the beginning of the summer. We historically can expect to drop approximately 11 feet each summer due to irrigation and evaporation. So, when you add in very little rainfall and poor runoff, we had a feeling that we would be pushing record lows which would effect the recreation area and facilities."[/size]
[size 2]One of the effects is a need for caution on the water, especially if unfamiliar with the reservoir bottom. The low water has changed many of the areas commonly used—sand points run further out and tree stumps have become a concern in the Horsehead Creek arm of Angostura.[/size]
[size 2]Because of the hazards, the area has been declared a "No Wake Zone." As the water level continues to drop, many of the stumps are now peaking out above the water surface, making them easier to avoid.[/size]
[size 2]Belle Fourche Reservoir, located eight miles east of Belle Fourche, is in the same boat. Some rain and cool weather a few weeks ago helped stabilize the level of the lake, which is actually higher than last year, but it was not enough for everyone’s needs.[/size]
[size 2]The only ramp on the reservoir, located on Rocky Point, can currently only be used by small, lighter boats, as larger craft have trouble getting stuck in the silt. Adding plank to the end of the ramp to keep up with the falling water level is not an option because the bottom on the reservoir extends at that same level for about 100 yards. Unless heavy unexpected rainfall should occur, says Park Supervisor Ken Rost, the ramp is expected to be out of service by Labor Day.[/size]
[size 2]A little bit of runoff can make a big difference. In contrast to Angostura and Bell Fourche, Shadehill Reservoir, located 14 miles south of Lemmon, does not share the low water woes.[/size]
[size 2]While the reservoir is still lower than normal, it has not severely impacted the boat ramps or water recreation. In fact, Shadehill Recreation Area has seen an increase in park use of 15 to 20 percent over last year. Park Manager Dallas Ingles attributes the high water level to increased snow runoff and the fact that the reservoir is not used for irrigation. Ingles anticipates that boaters will enjoy good access at Shadehill throughout the remainder of the year.[/size]
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[size 2]"Even though water levels are down, there is still plenty of water to play and fish in," says Collignon. "Some of the depths over the river channel are still 40 feet deep, and crews are constantly working to give boaters access to the water."[/size]
[size 2]Facilities most affected by the low water levels are the reservoir’s boat ramps. Typically, the reservoir has seven ramps. Now it is down to two.[/size]
[size 2]Those two ramps, which are expected to stay open through Labor Day, are the permanent low water ramp in the North Unit and the temporary low water ramp in the South Unit. [/size]
[size 2]In the North Unit, the ramp is a 34-foot wide concrete ramp with two lanes and a dock. The South Unit has a temporary ramp built out of 12-foot by 1-foot concrete plank. This ramp has a stronger grade, so Collignon recommends using a four-wheel drive vehicle.[/size]
[size 2]"We will keep extending these ramps a few more feet every week to follow the water and to allow for safe use for boaters," he said. "Angostura started off at a di
vantage, at eight feet below full pool at the beginning of the summer. We historically can expect to drop approximately 11 feet each summer due to irrigation and evaporation. So, when you add in very little rainfall and poor runoff, we had a feeling that we would be pushing record lows which would effect the recreation area and facilities."[/size] [size 2]One of the effects is a need for caution on the water, especially if unfamiliar with the reservoir bottom. The low water has changed many of the areas commonly used—sand points run further out and tree stumps have become a concern in the Horsehead Creek arm of Angostura.[/size]
[size 2]Because of the hazards, the area has been declared a "No Wake Zone." As the water level continues to drop, many of the stumps are now peaking out above the water surface, making them easier to avoid.[/size]
[size 2]Belle Fourche Reservoir, located eight miles east of Belle Fourche, is in the same boat. Some rain and cool weather a few weeks ago helped stabilize the level of the lake, which is actually higher than last year, but it was not enough for everyone’s needs.[/size]
[size 2]The only ramp on the reservoir, located on Rocky Point, can currently only be used by small, lighter boats, as larger craft have trouble getting stuck in the silt. Adding plank to the end of the ramp to keep up with the falling water level is not an option because the bottom on the reservoir extends at that same level for about 100 yards. Unless heavy unexpected rainfall should occur, says Park Supervisor Ken Rost, the ramp is expected to be out of service by Labor Day.[/size]
[size 2]A little bit of runoff can make a big difference. In contrast to Angostura and Bell Fourche, Shadehill Reservoir, located 14 miles south of Lemmon, does not share the low water woes.[/size]
[size 2]While the reservoir is still lower than normal, it has not severely impacted the boat ramps or water recreation. In fact, Shadehill Recreation Area has seen an increase in park use of 15 to 20 percent over last year. Park Manager Dallas Ingles attributes the high water level to increased snow runoff and the fact that the reservoir is not used for irrigation. Ingles anticipates that boaters will enjoy good access at Shadehill throughout the remainder of the year.[/size]
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