Thread: east fork?

Thank you for the feedback regarding your visit to East Fork State Park. At Ohio State Parks we value the input of our customers and strive to provide a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience during every visit.

I apologize that the boat ramp courtesy docks on Harsha Lake were removed last week (October 15/16). I understand the inconvenience this causes to the fisherman and to the pleasure boaters alike. You might know that Harsha Lake is a flood control lake and routinely experiences seasonal flooding in the winter and spring months. This seasonal flooding as well as the constant freezing and thawing can cause costly damage to the docks if they are left in the water. Ideally, the docks would be removed in late November, but to accomplish this task we need additional staff and equipment. That additional staff and equipment were available either in Mid-October or in early January. So I made the difficult decision to have the docks removed last week. It was my decision to remove the docks and I take full responsibility for having done so. The docks will be put back in the water in early spring 2015. In the meantime, I invite you to utilize the boat ramp at Slade Road, which is located off of State Route 222 approximately five miles from the Tate Boat Ramp. The boat ramp on Slade Rd. has a concrete dock structure that doesn’t get removed during seasonal flooding, it will provide you with full access to Harsha Lake for the remainder of the boating season.

I am hopeful that you’ll accept my apologize for the poor timing and continue to enjoy East Fork State Park and Harsha Lake going forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any additional comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

D. Chadwick Smith, CPM
Park Manager
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
East Fork State Park|Stonelick State Park|Interpretive Services
3294 Elklick Rd.
Bethel, Oh 45106

Chad, thank you for taking the time to respond to this thread. It lets us know that you are monitoring the status of fishermen utilizing East Fork Lake. I spoke with you on the phone last week. I just wanted you to know that I was not alone in my frustration in the docks being pulled in mid October. You can see it is not a popular decision. I understand the theory of limited manpower vs the number of parks to service. Can I suggest you start in the North and work your way South. It only makes geographical logistical sense. Currently there are docks still in North of East Fork (One of the most Southern Parks in the State!) Common Sense, not what you can get to when you can get to it
Once again, thanks for listening, hopefully it will improve in the future.

Originally Posted by AEFISHING

Thank you for the feedback regarding your visit to East Fork State Park. At Ohio State Parks we value the input of our customers and strive to provide a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience during every visit.

I apologize that the boat ramp courtesy docks on Harsha Lake were removed last week (October 15/16). I understand the inconvenience this causes to the fisherman and to the pleasure boaters alike. You might know that Harsha Lake is a flood control lake and routinely experiences seasonal flooding in the winter and spring months. This seasonal flooding as well as the constant freezing and thawing can cause costly damage to the docks if they are left in the water. Ideally, the docks would be removed in late November, but to accomplish this task we need additional staff and equipment. That additional staff and equipment were available either in Mid-October or in early January. So I made the difficult decision to have the docks removed last week. It was my decision to remove the docks and I take full responsibility for having done so. The docks will be put back in the water in early spring 2015. In the meantime, I invite you to utilize the boat ramp at Slade Road, which is located off of State Route 222 approximately five miles from the Tate Boat Ramp. The boat ramp on Slade Rd. has a concrete dock structure that doesn’t get removed during seasonal flooding, it will provide you with full access to Harsha Lake for the remainder of the boating season.

I am hopeful that you’ll accept my apologize for the poor timing and continue to enjoy East Fork State Park and Harsha Lake going forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any additional comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

D. Chadwick Smith, CPM
Park Manager
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
East Fork State Park|Stonelick State Park|Interpretive Services
3294 Elklick Rd.
Bethel, Oh 45106

Michael
You actually got a response to your survey? I sent mine in on the day I posted the link and I haven't heard a thing.

Fishonboard
I don't think Chad responded to this site. I think AEFishing just posted the response he got from Chad.

I think the reasoning is lame at best and the parks need to do a better job scheduling the work crews if that's the case. I would understand if it were December but mid October is poor planning.

Are any of the docks in at all? I've been using the camp ground ramp when I go and it's def out ......

James
They took all the docks out at Bantam. Looking down the ramp you have a little room to tie up 1 boat on the "steps" going down to the water.
At the dam ramp, there is the concrete dock to tie the boat off to but as the water level drops it gets higher to climb out on. I'm not sure how it works out once the water actually hits winter pool.

With either of these ramps it obviously won't be a problem if you have a partner to fish with because you still have somewhere to step into the boat. If you're fishing solo, you'll have more problems.
I can see lots of guys are checking out this thread. I sure hope some of them fill out that survey just to let the parks manager know our displeasure.

i always use the ramp by the Dam, and he is correct in saying the concrete dock structure is not removed, but when the lake hits winter pool the top of that structure is roughly chest high so you might need a step ladder. Not to mention when the lake hits winter pool, the water around said structure is inches deep, i have an alum. boat and would cringe every time i pulled in to tie up. Cant imagine the damage those pointy rocks would cause on a glass boat, sounds to me like someone made a bad call...

Yes, I got a response in like an hour. I was shocked.

I assume this means the dock at the North Shore Ramp are out too - by Boar's Head. That's where I typically put in. I thought someone said that the guy at Boar's Head said that ramp was still in... I usually fish with my dad so between the two of us we can probably manage, but it would be tough if you are by yourself.