Echo Bay will have similar signs placed at the boat ramp starting May 11th (Photo: NPS, http://www.nps.gov)

Lake Mead NP, NV-

The Lake Mead National Park has issued a media statement regarding the Echo Bay boat launch ramp. The announcement of the closure of Echo Bay boat launch ramp starting May 11th is of no surprise to many as the receding waters of the north side of the lake have produced multiple problems for launching boats and other recreational watercraft. The closure of the boat ramp is announced as indefinitely closed pending relocation.

The statement was released on May 6th and states “declining water levels and topography constraints are determining factors” for the closure. The NPS also stated in the media release, that the Echo Bay ramp was built for “boat launching down to a lake level elevation of 1,060 feet” and the current lake level elevation “is now at 1,053.72 feet.”

Boaters can still use the launch ramp at Hemenway Harbor and access point on Lake Mohave. Boaters are advised to check ramp statuses before traveling out and expect longer waits for the currently open boat launch ramps, especially during weekends.

For current water levels and statuses check out the BOR (Bureau of Reclamation) data and statistics found on the National Parks site located at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Currently, only Echo Bay and Hemenway Harbor remain for boat launch ramps open with restrictions out of six ramps on Lake Mead. All boat ramps on Lake Mohave are open with restrictions which allows access to Lake Mead.