For More Information Contact:
Katie Sproles, 341-1850
Eugene Water & Electric Board

May 21, 2008

EWEB temporarily closes Leaburg Lake boat ramp

The Eugene Water & Electric Board closed the Leaburg Lake boat ramp on Wednesday (May 21) due to high river flows on the McKenzie River. The ramp is located just above the Leaburg Dam, adjacent to the picnic area and on the side of the lake opposite Highway 126.

The closure will remain in effect until EWEB officials determine the water level is safe enough to begin using the access ramp again.

“The water on the lake is moving deceptively fast right now,” said Richard Callison, generation supervisor at the Leaburg-Walterville Hydroelectric Project. “It is not safe to launch at the Leaburg Lake ramp in these conditions.”

The McKenzie River typically runs around 4,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Vida at this time year, according to Callison. The current level is near 12,000 cfs.

Earlier this week, Lane County Police and the McKenzie River Fire Department issued a statement asking people to stay off the McKenzie River for safety's sake due to the unusually strong current and hidden debris caused by unseasonably warm weather melting the large snowpack.

The 40-acre lake behind EWEB’s Leaburg Dam offers fishing, boating and picnicking.