Tuesday, June 24, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.
Declining water levels have provided the impetus for Lake Mead's first major capital improvement project since entrance fees were instituted in August 2000.
Over the next six months, the National Park Service will replace the lake's boat launch ramps at a cost of about $6.5 million, almost half of which comes from the entrance fees.
"We want to take advantage of the opportunity that low water at Lake Mead has provided for the launch ramp reconstruction project," Lake Mead National Recreational Area Superintendent William K. Dickinson said in a statement.
Last month Lake Mead reached its lowest level since 1969: 1,145 feet above sea level. Because of a four-year drought, it is down more than 50 feet from its high three years ago.
"The sections of the launch ramps now exposed due to declining lake levels were underwater for almost 40 years," Dickinson said. "This caused crumbling and deterioration of the asphalt."
Dickinson said the replacement of the old asphalt ramps with new grooved concrete surfaces will "significantly improve conditions for boaters using these Lake Mead facilities."
Construction crews from T.R. Orr Inc., EHC LLC, and Interstate Rock Products Inc. are expected to begin work in the next week. The work will take place only on weekdays, with some launch ramps remaining open at all times.
For more information on the ramp work, readers can contact the Lake Mead National Recreational Area at 293-8947.
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