Dry docks: Low C.O. lake water levels cause problems for boaters, Forest Service

'This is the first year the docks did not reach the water'

LA PINE, Ore (KTVZ) -- Another impact of Central Oregon’s ongoing drought: low lake and reservoir levels are causing issues for boaters.

David Krueger said his boat has taken a bit of a beating this year.

"There are rocks now that are usually way under water," Krueger, who fished at East Lake on Sunday, told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday.

The Bend resident often takes his boat fishing in East Lake, in the Newberry Caldera, but this year has been a little more challenging.

"It's the lowest I've ever seen this time of year, and I typically fish it all summer long," Krueger said.

Central Oregon's drought conditions mean the lake is even lower than it was in the fall.

Scott McBride, the monument manager with the Deschutes National Forest, said, "We place the docks as we do every spring and this is the first year the docks did not reach the water."

The East Lake Campground boat launch dock does not currently reach the water of the lake. That’s because sections of it have been combined with the next boat launch, the Hot Springs Ramp.

At the remaining launches, Cinder Hill south and north, the docks reached the lake, but may not for the entire summer.

"It's possible that sooner than typical, launches become less than ideal or completely not functional," McBride said.

Already, the conditions have caused problems for Krueger.

"Water came up inside of my -- I have a four wheel drive truck -- came up inside of the doors of the truck, because we had to get that deep, that far out to get the boat off,” Krueger said.

McBride added that the conditions make it even more important to “Know Before You Go,” so you can be prepared when you show up at the lakes.

The Deschutes National Forest also warns about low lake levels at Crescent and Odell lakes.