PacifiCorp will close the Saddle Dam boat ramp and dispersed shoreline camping at Yale Reservoir later this month due to dry conditions and low water levels on the Lewis River.
The Saddle Dam boat ramp, located off Frasier Road in Ariel, will close for the remainder of the season starting July 27. The shoreline camping program will end on July 26 to allow boaters time to exit before the ramp closure. Yale Park will remain open for day-use recreation, a press release by PacifiCorp stated.
Water inflows to the Swift, Yale and Merwin reservoirs are currently about half of typical levels for this time of year. To meet minimum flow requirements set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, PacifiCorp will begin lowering Yale Reservoir the week of July 27 to increase downstream flows below Merwin Dam, the release stated.
The flows are essential to protect federally listed fish species, including Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon, and Steelhead trout, the press release stated.
For updates on water levels and recreation access to PacifiCorp reservoirs, visit shorturl.at/HdEDq.
