Beginning May 1, the McPhee and House Creek boat ramps on McPhee Reservoir will open to the public.
The ramps will be staffed with boat inspection stations, and all motorized boats are required to access the lake through these two points during open hours. The new regulations are to prevent an infestation of the non-native quagga and zebra mussels.
The McPhee boat ramp will be open from May 1 to Oct. 31 seven days a week. Hours will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 24, then go to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31.
The House Creek boat ramp will have the same hours but only be open Friday through Monday.
A one-way strip spike will allow boaters to exit the lake after the ramps are closed. Nonmotorized hand-launched boats are exempt from inspections and can launch anywhere.
Exempt boats include kayaks, canoes, rafts, belly boats, sail boards, wind surfers, stand-up boards, inner tubes and float tubes. Electric motors are allowed on exempt boats.
There have been changes this year on other lakes.
Jackson Lake: An inspection program allows for motorized boats.Narraguinnep: Motorized boats are banned. Hand-launched and exempt boats are allowed.Totten: Motorized boats are banned. Hand-launched and exempt boats are allowed.Groundhog Lake: Motorized boating regulations are being negotiated.For more information on avoiding mussels, go to the Parks and Wildlife website at bit.ly/2mXGHvy, or the McPhee Reservoir website at doloreswater.com.
