Low Water Levels, Sand Accumulation at Lloyd Park Boat Ramp

Winnetka Park Board is expected to decide May 9 whether to open the Lloyd Park boat ramp this season and how best to deal with low water levels and sand accumulation issues, Chicago Tribune reported. 

Even though the lake water rose 11 inches after the April 18 storm, it still may not be enough to open the ramp for the season because there’s still a bed of sand at the base of the boat ramp instead of the required three feet of water. Winnetka Park District Executive Director Terry Schwartz says the board is weighing the risks because any dredging effort could be undermined by the wrong kind of storm, Chicago Tribune reported. 

The water levels in Lake Michigan are down more than five feet since 1997 and the low lake levels could have significant launching hazards for boaters as well swimmers in along the North Shore.  

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