Current Boat Launch Ramp Conditions at Lake Mead
Overton Beach
The public launch ramp - SHALLOW LAUNCHING ONLY, ranger station, restrooms, fish cleaning station, and dump station remain open. The marina was relocated to Callville Bay and Temple Bar the first week of February. This action was necessary due to lowering water levels on Lake Mead. The long-term trailer village, dry boat storage, RV Park, store, and gasoline pumps are closed.
Echo Bay
All lanes are open and are suitable for deep water launching. Care should be taken when entering or exiting the narrow fairway in the harbor. The concessioner is reconfiguring the marina and moving it out to ease this congestion.
Callville Bay
Improvements to the ramp have begun and crews will be placing cabled concrete and pipe style mats in the water as a means of extending the launch ramp. Public access to half of the ramp will be maintained while the improvements are underway. If there are excessive backups at Callville visitors can drive north about 20-30 minutes and use the Echo Bay Launch Ramp. Please limit your tie-down to the courtesy dock (15 minutes of less). The concessioner provides shuttle service on the weekend.
Government Wash
The ramp closed in 2001 due to lowering water levels on Lake Mead.
Las Vegas Bay
The ramp closed in 2003 due to lowering water levels on Lake Mead.
Boulder Harbor Launch Ramp
At least half the ramp will be open while the other side is being improved. The ramp is suitable for deep-water launching. The improvement project includes replacing old asphalt with 6,500-square-yards of concrete.
Hemenway Harbor
The ramp is fully functional for shallow launching. Boats with Deep-V hulls should consider using the Boulder Harbor Launch Ramp. Larger vessels on low trailers have been successful launching at this ramp.
Temple Bar
There is typically no waiting line for launching and there is abundant parking. The ramp is not recommended for larger vessels (over 35 feet) at this time. Due to lowering water levels, old sections of the ramp are exposed. The old asphalt is being removed and replaced with 8,000-square-yards of concrete. Work is expected to continue through August. Impact to the public will be kept to a minimum. Only 50 % of the ramp will be closed for construction at any one time. There will be no construction activities on weekends and holidays.
South Cove
At this time the temporary dirt public launch ramp is open but remains launch at your own risk. Use of a 4X4 is also recommended and there is a 12% grade.
The work being done at this ramp included relocation of the new roadway and takeout area for Grand Canyon river runners (accomplished May 2007). The project also includes constructing a temporary public launch ramp while work on the permanent ramp is being accomplished.
The NPS is extending the permanent public launch ramp at South Cove in addition to replacing the asphalt section. We can only extend it down to the waterline. The water level will have to rise for the extended ramp to be useable. This fall, the water levels are projected to rise to 1,117-feet, so there may be a short period where the permanent ramp may be useable
The NPS is experimenting with the construction of temporary launch ramps. At Callville Bay this year, we have been placing cabled concrete and pipe mats in the water as a means of extending the launch ramp.
The river runner courtesy dock was moved to their new location 1.2 mile south. NPS maintenance crew installed the NPS courtesy dock in its place for visitors to use (week of July 23).
Pearce Ferry
The Pearce Ferry launch ramp closed in August 2001 because of lowering water levels.
Lake Mohave
The launch ramps and marinas on Lake Mohave, (Cottonwood Cove, Willow Beach, and Katherine Landing), are all open and fully operational.
Source: NPS
To read more about the desert, go to DesertUSA.com.