Travelers planning to spend Labor Day weekend at Steamboat Rock State Park should know that Banks Lake water levels are low, which is preventing boats from using the main boat launch area.
Banks Lake at Steamboat Rock State Park has been drawn down to accommodate a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation repair of the headworks at Dry Falls Dam in Coulee City, according to the Steamboat Rock State Park website.
By Labor Day, the lake is expected to be down by 10 to 15 feet from traditional summer water levels, and traditional water levels may not return until March 2012. Park visitor water access will be affected.
As of last weekAug. 24, the drawdown level has dropped to about 11.5 feet. The main launch area at Steamboat Rock is blocked by sand and is not usable. The Osborn Bay launch is usable by four-wheel drive vehicles only. The Northrup Point launch is useable by four-wheel drive vehicles only.
Boat access to the north campground (Dune campground) by boat is now blocked by sandbars. The south campground (Sage campground) is now blocked by sandbars.
