WINTER FACILITIES

Every winter on or around December first the Corps closes the main gate at Dent Acres, along with numerous other recreation facilities. The primary reason for Dent's winter closure is because they cannot ensure that the facilities
are properly maintained for the safety of the public during the winter months. The water systems are shut down to prevent freezing and restrooms cannot be cleaned; roads are not plowed or maintained, so garbage pickup is
suspended; and courtesy docks are pulled to the top of the rails to prevent damage from winter storms and water fluctuations. The Corps cannot predict when weather conditions will prevent our customers from accessing or being able to leave the campground on a week to week basis, and we choose not to pass that risk on to the public, our contractors or our staff.

Another reason is that the expenses required to keep the gate open from December to March could not be justified for the small amount of use the ramp might receive, versus the risk to the public and the facilities themselves. The Corps limited recreation budget would be better spent maintaining and improving those facilities during the time period when the public receives the greatest benefit. It is simply not economically feasible to
maintain normal operations at Dent during the winter months. The Corps normally re-opens the Dent boat ramp before the second week in March if road and weather conditions permit them to do so. The boat launch facilities at Big Eddy and Bruce's Eddy for public use during the winter months.

Grandad is never locked (no gate) - the only hindrance there is snow! 

Canyon Creek- the boat ramp is unusable at this water level.   The main campground is gated off but the two most popular campsites are still available (they are outside the gate) and the vault toilet is open.  You can drive right down if there isn't too much snow.

RAMP, WATER AND DOCK ETIQUETTE

The ramp conditions at Dworshak are generally uncrowded, but sometimes on hot sunny weekends you can run into a crowded ramp. Following proper procedure and etiquette will save time for everyone.

Launching
Wait your turn, it is a first come first serve kind of thing... Prepare boat in the parking lot before you back down the ramp.  This includes installing transom plug, raising Bimini top, loading gear, placing fenders, readying dock lines, checking fuel, finding key and turning on battery switch. You do all this to take the least amount of time at the bottom of the ramp.

Make sure you have your life jackets!

When it’s your turn, back down the ramp, get your boat off the trailer and quickly move your truck to the parking lot.  Hopefully you remembered to undo all the satrapies and chains! If there is room move your boat away from the ramp so the next person can use the ramp to launch or retrieve their boat.

As the water drops, some ramps become unuseable. High and dry.

Retrieving
Organize your gear on the water before getting to the ramp dock. Again, wait your turn, it is a first come first serve kind of thing...

If there is room, tie up so someone can use the ramp while you get your vehicle and trailer.

Ideally, if you have enough skilled people, you can drop someone off and have them get the vehicle while someone waits with the boat on the water away from the ramp.

Once boat is on trailer, I would be sure and make sure its tied on and the the propeller is raised and move off the ramp to the parking lot. Put the safety chain on the bow, if the boat slips off the trailer on the way up the ramp, believe me the day is now ruined! In the parking lot you can take your time to unload gear, put fenders away cover or whatever else you do before heading down the road.

Remember to be well prepared and to know your launching/retrieving routine.  Do each task in the same order every time.  Having a checklist allows you to quickly proceed through each task without fear of forgetting something important (like the drain plug!)

ON THE WATER

There is lots of room on Dworshak, so it is generally easy to give other boaters a wide pass and that's what you should do, they and you deserve respect and privacy. When you do encounter other boats, you need to follow the rules of the road. Idaho Boating Regulations. Be careful as the water level drops, there are some shallow areas that lurk just below the water. You are safest if you keep a good distance between you and the shore...if you have to approach the shore in unfamiliar territory, it is suggested you slow way down.

WAKES

Did you know you are responsible for your wake and any damage or injury it may cause? Be courteous, safe and wakeless when approaching other boats and docks even when you are not in a no wake zone. No wake means the wave your boat is making is next to no wave as you pass. Slow way down so you are not plowing the water and be aware the biggest wake you make is when accelerating, slowing down or cruising just below planing speed, just below plane is when you push the most water. Best thing to do is make sure you push that water away from docks or other boats when slowing or accelerating and slow way, way, way down as you approach a boat or dock.