Rolling into the 2024 Recreation Season
RYAN VOGT Natural Resources Specialist U . S . Army Corps of Engineers – Rathbun Lake
Rathbun Lake ’ s recreation season is 153 days of fun-filled summer activities . Starting May 1 every year and ending on Oct . 1 , t the campgrounds , boat ramps and the surrounding public lands around Rathbun Lake begin to spring into life . The U . S . Army Corps of Engineers at Rathbun Lake have been working hard during the winter months to ensure the 2024 recreation season is a success . Many people are wondering what the 2024 season will hold for its visitors and the lake . Let ’ s explore what you can expect from Rathbun Lake this year .
The maintenance team at Rathbun Lake have been making improvements to various facilities and campgrounds . For Island View , they have installed a new , concrete singlestall restroom that also includes a shower on each side . The old restroom that will be removed is a wooden building that was beginning to show its age . In Buck Creek , they have installed a new concrete vault toilet . This new facility replaces an old wooden vault toilet that was outdated and in need of a replacement . These new facilities will be ready for public use by the opening day of the campgrounds . Other improvements will include fixing the Island View dedication boat ramp . Due to the low water level over the past summer , the end of the concrete ramp is now causing issues for visitors launching their boats . The team will look to have this renovation completed before May .
The park rangers at Rathbun have been making improvements to the public lands and the four Corpsmanaged campgrounds . From performing prescribed burns during the early spring and one late summer burn conducted in August of 2023 , trimming tree limbs over campsites , along roadways and taking down any hazardous trees that are a danger to the public . They have also been working to find volunteers to staff multiple jobs for the upcoming season . Positions vary widely from park attendants , custodians , painters , mowers and other miscellaneous tasks . The Rangers are looking forward to another great year here at Rathbun and cannot wait to see everyone enjoying the summer !
Whether the lake level rises or falls , there are certainly many highs and lows to a recreation season . Spring rains will be needed to raise the lake back to its normal pool elevation before the summer kicks off . But we encourage everyone to visit the lake this summer and enjoy the great outdoors that southern Iowa has to offer !
Expansion of the 5-mph zone in the Buck Creek Bay
What ’ s new in 2024 on the water ?
Over the years , concern with the safety of visitors in Buck Creek Bay have increased as boater use , and congestion of activities have increased . This area , as most visitors know , consists of a campground , public beach , full-service marina and the locally referred to “ boaters beach .” There is a significant amount of increased water-based recreational activities associated with this list . The increased use and activities in the bay are great , but the congestion leads to public safety concerns .
Beginning this year , there will be a 5-mph limit on vessels operating in the area of Rathbun Lake known as Buck Creek Bay . The primary driving factor for this expansion of the 5-mph zone is public
A photo of the New Island View single stall restroom with shower . safety , but there are other factors supporting the limitation for wake and speed of vessel operation in a relatively confined area . Those other factors are environmental , water quality and noise pollution .
One main environmental cue is the shoreline erosion . The U . S . Army Corps of Engineers has been partnering for 20-plus years with Rathbun Land and Water Alliance and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to improve and stabilize multiple shoreline areas for the purpose of protecting the water quality . However , funds to continue these efforts are limited , but there is a cost-effective ability to implement control measures by implementing wake restrictions .
As you enter the Buck Creek Bay , please pay attention to the buoys and shoreline signage reminding all boaters of the reduced speed in its entirety .
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