FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Affairs Officer: Lisa Cox
[email protected]
(760) 873-2427
www.fs.usda.gov/inyo
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Rock Creek Boat Launch Rehab Project begins August 26

Construction will temporarily restrict parking access on north side of lake

Current boat ramp at Rock Creek Lake, which will be redone along with a boarding float on the left side.

Bishop, Calif., August 15, 2024— Inyo National Forest will start construction on the Rock Creek Lake Boat Launch rehabilitation project on Monday, August 26 to address deferred maintenance and improve accessibility. Construction will take place on the weekdays, while still allowing for camping at the Rock Creek Lake Group Campground and restricted day use parking. Mobilizing and staging of equipment will begin the week prior, on August 19.
This project will not affect public access to the Rock Creek Lake Campground to the south side of the lake, and shoreline fishing will still be possible via nearby trails all around the lake.
At different phases of construction, the boat launch, parking spots and restrooms will be closed either entirely or partially.

“A schedule is still being firmed up by the contractor and will be communicated as soon as it becomes available,” said Acting Forest Engineer, Aaron Amuriat. “We will do our best to maximize public access and the number of parking spaces available throughout the duration of the project.”

Construction is expected to continue through the fall and winter until a weather-ending event closes down operations, and will be continued the following summer of 2025.

These flush restrooms will be replaced with vault restrooms and have improved handicap access including parking spaces adjacent to it and a connecting path to the boat launch.

Improvements will include (see map drawings below):

• Construction of a new boat launch ramp, including a new boarding float.
  •  Resurfacing and repaving existing parking areas (both upper and lower lots).
  • Addition of 1 standard handicap-accessible vehicle stall and 1 handicap-accessible trailer stall.
  • Construction of a handicap-accessible path connecting lower parking lot to both restrooms and boat ramp.
  • No net loss of number of parking spaces, of which there are 39.
• Replacement of flush restrooms to vault restrooms to ensure longer seasonal operation.
• Installation of a new, dark sky-friendly light pole.

This project is made possible due to a grant from the State of California, Division of Boating and Waterways and supplemental funding from the Great American Outdoors Act.

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