Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area's last public boat ramp closed August 15 due to low water levels and mud hazards. Private launch services from Van's Lakeview, Ski Patrol, and Big Mac Marina now provide primary lake access as drought conditions persist.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of Jeffrey Cox, 58, of Indianapolis, whose body was recovered from Monroe Reservoir near Bloomington. Cox went missing while boating and was found unresponsive without a personal flotation device. Conservation Officers remind the public to wear life jackets at all times on or near water.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area's private boat launch services from Van's Lakeview, Ski Patrol, and Big Mac Marina offer the best access as drought conditions lower water levels to 2006 levels. Park Superintendent Patrick Schnell recommends advance scheduling for launching and camping services while most recreation amenities remain available.
Yamaha Rightwaters donated a 150-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine to the Jetty Rock Foundation to support oyster restoration and marine research in New Jersey waters. The engine will power the foundation's new 28-foot Henriksel skiff, expanding conservation efforts and partnerships with NGOs, state agencies, and universities.
Yamaha Marine's "Summer Sunset" sales event runs August 3 through September 9, 2026, offering customers extended Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) coverage or dealer credits on select new four-stroke outboards. Eligible purchases in the 30-350 horsepower range receive two additional years of Y.E.S. coverage, while 2.5-25 horsepower models qualify for up to $300 in dealer credit.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides five essential water safety tips for summer boating, including avoiding peak sun hours, seeking shade, applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and staying hydrated. The article emphasizes the dangers of sun exposure and alcohol while boating, and stresses the importance of wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Owl Creek Dam at Placid Lake began eroding and piping water this week, causing lower lake levels. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will remove the six-slip boat dock on July 29, though the boat ramp remains open. FWP is coordinating repairs with the dam owner and considering a temporary fish barrier to prevent non-native species from entering the lake.
The Richland Aces 4-H Club partnered with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to install a Life Jacket Loaner Station at Gartside Reservoir Fishing Access Site near Sidney. The youth-led project, supported by FWP staff Kylie Kembel and Garrett Jericoff, aims to improve water safety and has already seen community use.
Utah Department of Natural Resources officers and Division of Wildlife Resources technicians inspected 11,864 boats during Pioneer Day weekend to prevent quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil from spreading. DNR officers detected 33 violations, primarily for failing to complete the mussel-aware boater program course, pay aquatic invasive species fees, or remove drain plugs.
NorthWestern Energy will temporarily close a portion of the Missouri River in Great Falls beginning July 31 for critical upgrades to Black Eagle Dam Spillway Project. The closure affects all watercraft from downstream of Broadwater Bay Boat Ramp to Black Eagle Dam, including West Bank Park's kayak launch.
Michigan DNR conservation officers Jeff Panich, Jesse Grzechowski, Alex Bourgeois, Nico Luna, and Sgt. Jon Warner rescued four people from Lake Huron near Harrisville, including two sailboat occupants and a paddle boarder and kayaker who attempted to assist. All were safely brought to shore with no injuries reported.
Construction at the Cyr Bridge Fishing Access Site boat slide begins July 27, with daytime operations continuing and temporary evening closures Monday-Thursday. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will assist boaters as crews replace wood and stairs to maintain safe conditions for Alberton Gorge whitewater floaters.
Nebraska Game and Parks is preparing Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area for lower water levels by improving boat ramp access at Spillway Bay, Diver's Bay, and Martin Bay. Park superintendent Patrick Schnell notes the state's largest reservoir remains open for boating, fishing, paddling, and swimming with expanded beaches available.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has reopened the Moundville Public Boat Ramp after renovations that replaced and reoriented the launching slab. Funding came from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and Innovate Alabama.
Wildlife Forever is offering free Expect to Inspect educational outreach kits to help resource managers increase boater compliance with aquatic invasive species laws. The kits include posters, rack cards, and decals featuring the Clean, Drain, Dry messaging and are available on a first-come, first-served basis through www.Expect2Inspect.org.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal boating accident that occurred Saturday at Hammond Marina on Lake Michigan. Herman Woods, age 66, of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, was pronounced dead after a boat struck the marina's break wall with six individuals on board.
A closure on the Flathead River near Sportsman's Bridge on MT 82 has been lifted after steel girder installation for the Sportsman's Bridge project was completed. The restriction that prohibited boating from 20 feet upstream to 500 feet downstream of the bridge is now in effect.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is renovating the Andrew Hulsey Lake Hamilton Access from July 13-17, adding two floating docks, improving parking, and creating a dedicated paddlecraft launch area. The upgrades aim to enhance convenience and safety for the heavily-used fishing access point near Hot Springs.
A 65-year-old San Leandro, California man was found unresponsive on his personal watercraft July 6 on Lewis and Clark Lake. Boaters rescued him and transported him to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, where he was pronounced dead. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officers are investigating the incident.
A section of the Flathead River will close to all watercraft from July 8-9 for steel girder installation on the Sportsman's Bridge project on Montana Highway 82 northwest of Bigfork. The closure extends approximately 20 feet upstream and 500 feet downstream of the bridge.