06-24-2004, 01:46 AM
[size 4]Game and Fish deal with low and high water
[/size][size 1]Forum staff reports, The Forum
Published Sunday, June 20, 2004
Fisheries development crews for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department have nearly completed boat ramp access work at Lake Sakakawea, and have shifted their efforts to address rising water levels at Devils Lake, according to Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief.
Lake Sakakawea currently has 19 recreation areas with usable ramps, and work is in progress to have two more ready this summer.
"A tremendous effort has been put into Lake Sakakawea access, especially when you consider there were only four ramps usable after ice out," Steinwand said.
Record low water levels on Lake Sakakawea have prompted the department to spend more than the normal budget for boating access, Steinwand said.
"Approximately $600,000 is budgeted for statewide ramp development and improvements each biennium," Steinwand added. "This year on Lake Sakakawea alone, the department will spend approximately $500,000 to $600,000."
To help cover additional expenses, the department received approval for another $500,000 through the state emergency commission. Additionally, Steinwand said, the Corps of Engineers, State Parks and Recreation Department, and numerous local governmental entities and sporting groups contributed $600,000 to $700,000 for boating access on Lake Sakakawea.
Even with $1.3 million going into Lake Sakakawea access this year, the challenge will likely continue in the future, Steinwand said.
"We are closely monitoring water level projections for Lake Sakakawea, and are in the process of formulating a plan to provide adequate access as conditions dictate," he said.
At Devils Lake, fisheries personnel are currently focusing efforts on rising water.
"We're at the opposite end of the spectrum on Devils Lake," Steinwand said.
All Devils Lake ramps are currently usable, and all but one has some room for increase in water levels. Game and fish personnel will continue to work on them, however, in anticipation of higher water, Steinwand said. One Devils Lake ramp is classified as marginal, and will have to be relocated.
While much boating access work this year has been concentrated on Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake, the rest of the state is not being overlooked, Steinwand said.
"More than $350,000 is being spent this year on access on statewide lakes other than Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake," he added. "The extreme circumstances means the challenge is high, not only for game and fish but also for the people using those facilities, so we ask boaters to please be patient and courteous while waiting for others to load and unload their watercrafts." [/size]
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[/size][size 1]Forum staff reports, The Forum
Published Sunday, June 20, 2004
Fisheries development crews for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department have nearly completed boat ramp access work at Lake Sakakawea, and have shifted their efforts to address rising water levels at Devils Lake, according to Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief.
Lake Sakakawea currently has 19 recreation areas with usable ramps, and work is in progress to have two more ready this summer.
"A tremendous effort has been put into Lake Sakakawea access, especially when you consider there were only four ramps usable after ice out," Steinwand said.
Record low water levels on Lake Sakakawea have prompted the department to spend more than the normal budget for boating access, Steinwand said.
"Approximately $600,000 is budgeted for statewide ramp development and improvements each biennium," Steinwand added. "This year on Lake Sakakawea alone, the department will spend approximately $500,000 to $600,000."
To help cover additional expenses, the department received approval for another $500,000 through the state emergency commission. Additionally, Steinwand said, the Corps of Engineers, State Parks and Recreation Department, and numerous local governmental entities and sporting groups contributed $600,000 to $700,000 for boating access on Lake Sakakawea.
Even with $1.3 million going into Lake Sakakawea access this year, the challenge will likely continue in the future, Steinwand said.
"We are closely monitoring water level projections for Lake Sakakawea, and are in the process of formulating a plan to provide adequate access as conditions dictate," he said.
At Devils Lake, fisheries personnel are currently focusing efforts on rising water.
"We're at the opposite end of the spectrum on Devils Lake," Steinwand said.
All Devils Lake ramps are currently usable, and all but one has some room for increase in water levels. Game and fish personnel will continue to work on them, however, in anticipation of higher water, Steinwand said. One Devils Lake ramp is classified as marginal, and will have to be relocated.
While much boating access work this year has been concentrated on Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake, the rest of the state is not being overlooked, Steinwand said.
"More than $350,000 is being spent this year on access on statewide lakes other than Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake," he added. "The extreme circumstances means the challenge is high, not only for game and fish but also for the people using those facilities, so we ask boaters to please be patient and courteous while waiting for others to load and unload their watercrafts." [/size]
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