DREDGING PROJECT AT KANOPOLIS STATE PARK IMPROVES BOAT ACCESS

 Low water levels at Kanopolis Reservoir have made all but one boat ramp unusable this spring. And that ramp, located at Langley Point in Kanopolis State Park, has been difficult for boaters due to shallow water.

The three-day excavation project will aid
boaters launching in low water conditions

 To improve boating conditions near the ramp, Kanopolis State Park staff have been overseeing a dredging operation.

Crane Rental of Salina began dredging the boat ramp Tuesday, May 21, 2013 using a crawler crane and extendable fork lift.

“The boat ramp is usable as is,” said park manager Rick Martin, “but once we’ve excavated more material, launching a boat should become a lot easier.” Martin added that Langley Point will be in full working order for Memorial Day weekend.

For more information, contact the Kanopolis State Park office at (785) 546-2565.

LIFE JACKETS KEY TO CHILD SAFETY ON WATER

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

National Safe Boating Week raises awareness of water safety issues prior to Memorial Day Weekend
TOPEKA — Whether part of a vacation or an ordinary summer day, boating can be fun for the entire family — as long as everyone remains safe. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that an estimated 85 percent of boating-related drownings could be prevented by the use of life jackets. Nationally, of the children who drowned while boating in 2003, more than 60 percent were not wearing life jackets, also known as personal flotation devices, or PFDs.
“On a boat, everyone should wear a life jacket at all times,” says Cherie Sage, state director of Safe Kids Kansas. “Look for a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Water wings and other inflatable swimming aids such as inner tubes do not prevent drowning.”
Safe Kids Kansas recommends that children ages 14 and younger wear PFDs not only on boats but near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Kansas law requires that all boats have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved, readily-accessible PFD for each person on board. (For details, look on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism [KDWPT] website, ksoutdoors.com, under “Boating.”) Anyone 12 years old or younger must wear a life jacket at all times when on board a boat.
Safe Kids Kansas urges parents and caregivers to wear life jackets on boats or other watercraft as well. According to a 2005 study by Safe Kids Worldwide, children are much more likely to practice safe habits when they witness similar behavior by parents and caregivers. “Your children will pick up and embrace your safety habits,” says Sage.
Safe Kids Kansas also reminds parents and caregivers to follow these safety rules:

• always wear life jackets when in or around open bodies of water and on boats. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have the child make a “touchdown” signal — if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps too loose;
• enroll your kids in swimming lessons taught by a certified instructor, but don’t assume swimming lessons or life jackets make your child “drown proof”;
• remember that any person ages 12 through 20 must have completed an approved boater education course before operating a vessel without direct supervision of an adult 18 or older who has completed the course or an adult who is 21 or older. No one younger than 12 may operate a vessel without supervision regardless of boater education certification;
• avoid alcoholic beverages while boating;
• when there are several adults present and children are swimming, designate an adult as the “water watcher” for a specific amount of time to prevent lapses in supervision;
• install a carbon monoxide detector on inboard and cabin motorboats to alert you to dangerous levels of exhaust fumes; and
• learn infant and child CPR. Many local hospitals, fire departments, Red Cross offices, and recreation departments offer CPR training.

National Safe Boating Week is an annual educational campaign coordinated by the National Safe Boating Council, www.safeboatingcouncil.org, running the week prior to Memorial Day. For more information about drowning and boating-related injuries, call Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-0351 or visit www.safekids.org. For more information about safe boat operations, contact the Coast Guard Info line at (800) 368-5647 or visit www.uscgboating.org.
And don’t forget boating safety classes. Class schedules and a home study course may be found online at the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, under “Boating/Education.”

STATE FISHING LAKES OFFER GREAT MEMORIAL DAY OUTINGS

May 24, 2012
Survey indicates highly-satisfied Memorial Day weekend visitors
PRATT — Looking for a peaceful, uncrowded Memorial Day weekend outdoor experience? Try one of the more than 40 Kansas state fishing lakes. Anglers surveyed who fished state fishing lakes reported low levels of crowding, high satisfaction, and sufficient access from shore at these small Kansas gems. In most cases, there is minimal to no wait time to launch a boat and plenty of parking available.
In addition to fishing, picnicking and primitive camping are popular activities at state fishing lakes. Some — including Kingman, McPherson, Mined Land, and Ottawa — offer modern, affordable cabins for those who prefer not to camp. Many state fishing lakes also have ADA-compliant facilities, such as accessible docks and piers.
You don’t need a boat to enjoy the state fishing lake angling experience because numerous piers, jetties, and accessible shoreline are available for easy access. Almost half of anglers visiting these lakes fish from shore and find plenty of access without a boat.
As the name suggests, most state fishing lakes are managed for anglers, so no pleasure boating, skiing, or swimming is allowed. However, because Crawford, Meade, and Scott are also state parks, they provide full-service camping and allow swimming, and Crawford and Scott allow some recreational boating and offer recreational facilities such as sand volleyball courts, bathhouses, and horseshoe pits. Chase State Fishing Lake also has a swimming beach. Water-use restrictions may limit their appeal to some outdoor users, but for others, the limitation may be a peaceful plus.
Most visitors do not feel crowded at Kansas state fishing lakes, even on this busiest weekend of the year, so these lakes are great alternatives to large federal reservoirs. If you just want to enjoy nature, camp, and fish, you may be able to find a great family-friendly spot all to yourself.

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STATE PARKS READY FOR RELAXING LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Image via Wikipedia

Only three parks are affected by blue-green algae; all state parks and state fishing lakes ready for busy holiday weekend

PRATT — Kansas state parks are busy throughout the summer, but three weekends are the most popular — Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5, is the only summer holiday remaining this season. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) wants the public to know that despite blue-green algae in two reservoirs and several smaller lakes that may limit water recreation, all state parks will be open Labor Day. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Kansas lakes and parks since all state fishing lakes and most city and county lakes are free of blue-green algae warnings or advisories.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has been checking certain lakes nearly all summer and has issued “advisories” and “warnings” when harmful levels of blue-green algae have been detected. Based on KDHE’s findings, the Army Corps of Engineers and KDWPT have closed Milford Reservoir near Junction City, to all water use (including fishing from the bank) because of a serious health risk. However, land-based opportunities abound at the lake and Milford State Park will be open for business Labor Day weekend. While the River Pond below the dam in Tuttle Creek State Park is under a warning, boating and fishing are allowed. Tuttle Creek Reservoir is not under any warning or advisory and is open to all activities.

And, although Cheney Reservoir west of Wichita is under an Advisory, Cheney State Park is open for business. The advisory at Cheney Reservoir means harmful blue-green algae have been detected and a hazardous condition may exist, but water activities such as boating and fishing are allowed. However, direct contact with the water (wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people and pets.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Labor Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to visit a park or lake. The weather is still warm, and the water feels great. For those who would rather stay dry (or are visiting Milford State Park), volleyball, disc golf, trail hiking, camping, watching wildlife in the park or a nearby wildlife area, or simply sitting around a campfire and enjoying the outdoors are relaxation enough after a hard week’s work. It’s also a welcome breather before school gets back in full swing.

Blue-green algae conditions may change before the holiday so people should stay alert for updates. For more information on blue-green algae, including current warnings and advisories, visit the KDHE website, http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm or contact Jonathan Larance at785-291-3684. For more information about Kansas state parks, click the “State Parks” icon at the top of the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. For more information about Kansas state fishing lakes and other fishing locations, click on the “Fishing” icon on the KDWPT website.

OPERATION DRY WATER BRINGS FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS TO BOATERS

Image by moron noodle via Flickr

June 24-26 are awareness days; operations underway year-round
PRATT — Marine law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal boating agencies — including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) — will be out in force June 24-26 for Operation Dry Water (ODW), an annual campaign focused on the detection and enforcement of boating under the influence (BUI). A secondary objective is to raise awareness among all boaters that it is unsafe as well as illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

More than 17 percent of boating fatalities result from alcohol use, and KDWP has gotten tougher in recent years in enforcing laws against this high-risk behavior. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against Kansas state law. Boaters caught operating under the influence can find their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded. Additionally, penalties can include arrest, fines, and loss of boating privileges.

The effort is timed to give BUI enforcement high visibility before the Fourth of July, perhaps the busiest recreational boating weekend of summer. A new battery of testing standards will, for the first time, allow marine patrol officers to test boaters in a seated position and apply a percentage of probability that the subject is impaired at .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher.

For more information on this annual event, go online tooperationdrywater.org.

Kansas Deer Hunting Info

STATE PARKS OPEN AND READY FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Check with parks before planning Memorial Day outings
PRATT — Memorial Day is just a few days away, and Kansas state park staff are gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year. State parks are great places to camp, boat, fish, swim, and just enjoy the outdoors, but if that isn't enough, you'll find a special event you won't want to miss. In addition to these events offered throughout the summer months, many parks plan special events over Memorial Day weekend. Events are diverse and may include anything from a marathon race to boating courses and equestrian rides. Many are educational, and all make visiting Kansas state parks more enjoyable.
Spring storms can impact conditions, so it’s a good idea to check with parks before travelling. As of May 25, all parks were fully operational, but storms, such as the one that recently caused minor damage at Eisenhower State Park, can pop up at any time and cause damage or limit services. Park goers should be aware of this and watch the weather. But Eisenhower, like all other parks in the state, will be open for business Memorial Day weekend.
For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or click the "Event Calendar" on the State Parks page of the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Telephone numbers of all state parks offices may also be found on the KDWP website. Click "State Parks" at the top of the page, then "Locations" in the left-hand column. A short conversation with local park staff will provide information on campsite availability, park conditions, current visitation rates, and answers to other questions.

STATE FISHING LAKES OFFER GREAT MEMORIAL DAY OUTINGS

Survey indicates highly-satisfied Memorial Day weekend visitors
PRATT — Looking for a peaceful, uncrowded Memorial Day weekend outdoor experience? Try a Kansas state fishing lake.

Last year, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) fisheries biologists and public lands managers conducted surveys at state fishing lakes during the Memorial Day weekend to determine if anglers felt crowded. A total of 337 interviews were completed at 24 state fishing lakes across Kansas.

The result? Most anglers reported low levels of crowding, high satisfaction, and sufficient access for shore and boat anglers. Three observations made it clear that state fishing lakes offered an uncrowded, user-friendly experience, even on the busiest weekends:

• minimal to no wait time to launch a boat;
• on average, only one-third of parking areas full; and
• anglers less crowded than they anticipated.

Anglers were highly satisfied with their experience, indicating that state fishing lakes are great alternatives for those seeking less crowded experiences during a traditionally busy fishing and camping holiday weekend.

In addition to fishing, picnicking and camping were popular activities at state fishing lakes. Some, such as Kingman, McPherson, Mined Land, and Ottawa offer modern, affordable cabins for those who prefer not to camp. Many state fishing lakes also have ADA-compliant facilities, such as accessible docks and piers.

You don’t need a boat to enjoy the state fishing lake angling experience because numerous piers, jetties, and accessible shoreline are available for easy access. In fact, last year’s survey indicated that nearly half of the interviewed anglers fished from shore, and they responded positively when asked if there was enough access to the lake without having a boat.

As the name suggests, most state fishing lakes are managed for anglers, so no pleasure boating, skiing, or swimming is allowed. (Because Crawford, Meade, and Scott are also state parks, they allow swimming, and Crawford and Scott allow some recreational boating and offer recreational facilities such as sand volleyball courts, bathhouses, and horseshoe pits. Chase State Fishing Lake also has a swimming beach.) Water-use restrictions may limit their appeal to some outdoor users, but for others, the limitation may be a peaceful plus.

“The bottom line is that anglers who chose to fish on Memorial Day weekend at state fishing lakes last year were very happy with their experience,” said Doug Nygren, KDWP Fisheries Section supervisor. “And most did not feel crowded, even on the busiest weekend of the year. These lakes are great alternatives to large federal reservoirs on Memorial Day. If you just want to enjoy nature, camp, and fish, you may be able to find a great family-friendly spot all to yourself at a state fishing lake this Memorial Day weekend.”