Water levels continue to drop at Lucky Peak

BOISE, Idaho — Water levels at Lucky Peak Lake have dropped, ending the boating season early.

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is lowering Lucky Peak to repair the 70-year-old Turner Gulch Boat Ramp.
• By August 1, the water level will be 15 feet lower. Officials are urging boat owners to remove their boats from the Spring Shores Marina.

(Below you will find the transcript of the broadcast story)

Every day the water here at Lucky Peak is receding. I’m your neighborhood reporter Jessica Davis and the boating season here at Lucky Peak is ending early because of some necessary repairs.

“I’m willing to sacrifice a year if the boat ramps are fixed,” says Byron Artrip.

Artrip fishes at Lucky Peak at least twice a week, but because the boat ramps close earlier, the season will be shorter this summer.

Artrip says, “As long as I have access to one of the ramps, it’s fine, but I’m not sure how low it’s going to get and if they close them all off, my fishing season here is over.”

According to park manager Surat Nicol, the water level at Marina Shores is dropping more than 3.5 metres every day and 3.5 metres of beach is being added.

“I can’t catch them where I was two weeks ago because the water level has dropped,” Artrip said. “There’s going to be a lot of boats with a smaller playing area and there’s going to be underwater obstacles that aren’t exposed, so you have to be careful with shoals, rocks and things like that.”

From August 1, the water level will be 4.5 meters lower.

Officials are urging boat owners to remove their boats from the Spring Shores Marina.

“I think it’s sad because a lot of people have paid for moorings and now have to get their boat out of the water a month earlier,” said Ann Peach.

Peach and her boyfriend Jan enjoy sailing on Lucky Peak all summer long, but just like Artrip, their season ended prematurely.

“We have to get our boats out of the water 30 days EARLIER than normal and instead of four months of having our boats docked here, it now only takes three months,” Peach said.

While many boaters are bracing for an early end to the season, Artrip says it will be worth it.

“I’m not really angry, it’s annoying, but I adapt. I just go somewhere else,” says Artrip.

You still have time to get to Lucky Peak and get on the water. It’s not until the last week of August that you really start to see a change. From the shore to the buoys it’s just shore and beach and these boats aren’t on the dock here.