Rose Lake launch work postponed

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Rose Lake boat launch and picnic area will be closed to public access for about 60 days this fall. The closure will begin the day after Labor Day.

The closure is needed for public safety during site-improvement work.

The project was initially planned for this spring, however, high spring precipitation extended load limits on roads in the area and also raised the lake level. As a result, the work could not start as planned.

Although anglers and boaters will not begin to benefit from the project until this fall, they will not be impacted when they want to launch boats during the popular spring and summer fishing seasons. The project is expected to be fully completed by November, as the work is slated to take approximately 60 days.

The project involves converting the Rose Lake boat launch from a primitive site to a modern facility with expanded and closer parking, a new access road to the ramp, and a larger boat-loading area.

New, paved Americans with Disabilities Act accessible parking is planned near the docks and ramps. Boaters will benefit from a new double lane launch surface, a new boarding dock system, and a boat preparation area.

Fish and Game habitat manager J.J. Teare said, "Once completed, the Rose Lake fishing and boating access site will provide multiple outdoor recreational opportunities for local families and the general public for years to come."

For temporary small boat launching, Fish and Game will have the old gravel ramp at the Watson Road fishing access site open while the main ramp is temporarily closed.

Boaters will be pleased to know that improvements to the Thompson Lake boat ramp were recently completed and the improved ramp is now reopened.

Heavy equipment is still on site at Thompson Lake while work in the surrounding wetlands project is finalized. When parking a vehicle or trailer there, do not block any materials or equipment at the site.

For additional project information please contact J.J. Teare at Fish and Game's Panhandle region office at (208) 769-1414.