Popular Pierce County boat launch to be fixed after damage forced its closure
The Lakewood City Council unanimously approved a plan to repair a boat launch at American Lake Park after it was closed due to disrepair in the fall.
In October the city closed two of three public boat launches at American Lake Park due to “exceptional low water levels” and complaints that vehicles and trailers had been damaged from using the site.
The city council voted Tuesday to spend no more than $90,000 of city funds on the repair work, which would include replacing damaged planks and blocks at the boat launch, adding large boulders at the end of the ramp bed to hold it in place, adding signage and an articulating mat at the end of the ramp to help hold it in place and make it easier for trailers to get in and out of the water.
“The best time to do the repairs is while the water levels are low,” wrote Lakewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Mary Dodsworth in a request to the council.
Repairs would begin this month, according to her letter.
On Tuesday, Lakewood entered into an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to do the repair work, according to city documents. The department has a boat launch team based in Lacey that fabricates the ramp panels.
“These are the same teams and types of products that were used to repair the Edgewater Launch and rebuild the American Lake launch in 2008-2009,” Dodsworth said. “Having local teams and resources reduces the cost of repairing the launch.”
