Is the boat ramp at Wildcat in blood open yet?
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Is the boat ramp at Wildcat in blood open yet?
I saw a report on here or FB, where half of it is still being used.
That report is wrong. Drove up to it last weekend and they've got the entire thing ripped out. Wasn't supposed to open again until sometime this month but with this week's weather, I'd say they are going to be set back.
What's the next closest place coming from the South. I plan on coming down the last week in March for the first time and we are staying near cypress creek. Had planned on launching at wildcat if we fish blood.
Boyds Branch at Hamlin. The parking area only holds about 8 to 10 vehicles though and if the water is still down, it's tough to launch because the ramp isn't long enough.
Keep us posted, I headed do the fist week in April. Was planning on going to Wildcat
If you put in there, make sure you stay within the secondary channel markers until you hit the main lake channel. If you get out of them, you will be in about a foot of water. There is also a lot of rebar driven into the lake(around this shallow area) for stake beds. So be careful!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Quackrstackr
I took a look at wildcat from the water today and it looks like they have dug up and repaved about half-way down to the water--With the top half of it still the old concrete. It's been the same way now for going on two weeks now. So who knows when it will be open.
Hope this helps
KDFWR is on site at Wildcat today. The lake has dropped enough they were able to push the slab in the water this morning. Because of high water they couldn't push the slab deep enough last week so it was delayed. They have concrete ordered for today and they will be able to pour both lanes to get them away from the water. If the weather cooperates they will be able to pour one lane up to the pavement tomorrow and possibly open the one lane back up on Friday. Next week they would finish the other side of the ramp. Again, this is all weather dependent (chance of rain tomorrow).
Here is a link showing how they push slabs into the water. This project was the ramp below Kentucky Lake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHzC7KPYexg
Great update!!
Thanks!
Thanks for the update. Can you get them to do something about the water clarity while they're there? :biggrin
Why did they tear out the ramp to begin with? There weren't any holes or anything in it and they didn't appear to be making it any wider than what they ripped out. What they need there is a much larger parking lot.
Pretty cool stuff there. Thanks!
Guess have to launch from Irvin Cobb.
The old ramp was in decent shape for launching at higher water levels but when the lake was at winter pool there were some issues. One lane of the ramp was OK but the other side was too short and people were backing off the end of the ramp. I can see why some would think it was perfectly fine if they have a boat that doesn't take too much water to get off the trailer (they don't back in as far). Additional parking would be a great improvement for the area and this issue was investigated in 2002. Unfortunately the parking lot is surrounded by hills and there is a significant grade from the top of the parking to the bottom (10%), it would be very expensive to add any significant amount of parking. The federal Boating Access funds are divided yearly to maintain 167 sites and building a few new ones along the way. Hopefully a time will come when money is available to expand the parking or possibly add a new site somewhere in Blood River.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quackrstackr
I know it may not be a viable option but there is a remote access point in the upper end of Blood River that may get you away from the crowd. It is far enough into the narrow portion of Blood River that sometimes a fallen tree will keep you from getting to the main lake and the lake may have to be above winter pool, you may want to scout it out. This is a single lane ramp with limited gravel parking. Again this is remote and you have to go almost to New Concord and turn left towards Parkers Field.
I know where that one is. You'll not be launching a boat there unless it's at summer pool or above. It's also not really a ramp, just a spot through the trees where you launch on mud with a tiny gravel parking area barely big enough for 4 vehicles to park. I'm not sure if you could even make it out to navigable water this time of year without solely using your trolling motor for a good stretch.
Can the department not investigate taking ownership of the beach area parking lot for parking? The campground leasee gated and locked it after the beach was privatized to the campground some years back and there's nothing but boats that seasonal campers leave sitting there.
Also, what about this writing of tickets for parking on the road shoulder I've been hearing about? Is that even legal? I would think that a right of way exists on that road and the campground leasee would have no say in who could park there. Otherwise, what's to stop the camp manager from locking the gate at the entrance and blocking everyone out except his campers?
It's a shame that KY can't fund it's public areas like TN has. There's a public boat ramp in every nook and cranny below the 79 bridge. Other than the mud launch, you're going to be driving 10-15 miles to get to the next nearest public launch from Wildcat. BR is one of the most fished bays on all of KY Lake and it has one legit ramp with inadequate parking that is destroyed and another primitive "ramp" that can really only be utilized by small jon boats when the water is up.
First I want to give an update on the Wildcat Ramp. The crew is ahead of schedule and they have more concrete ordered for today. If everything works out they will be done with all concrete work this afternoon. This means we should have one lane open for Friday and both lanes open for Saturday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quackrstackr
We upgraded the remote Blood River site in 2012 so it may be better than you remembered. We added gravel to the parking and built a new concrete ramp. I still think the parking only holds 4 or 5 trucks but you may be able to pull of the road in spots. I haven't heard if the ramp has silted back in. I am not sure what water level it takes to reach the main lake but maybe someone will post if they know.
I believe that the beach parking lot is tied up in a long term agreement between the campground operator and the TVA. I will contact the TVA and relay your questions and concerns.
I understand your frustration with the access in Blood River and the parking at Wildcat. I was wondering if you could provide an estimate of how many more spaces you think are needed to satisfy the normal high use during crappie season and summer months?
I would say at least 20. I have seen that many parked along the road and anywhere off the road they could back a trailer during peak crappie times.Quote:
Originally Posted by whitehat
At least twenty. I have seen vehicles parked nearly from the current parking lot to the campground entrance. That is a very long hike and I suspect many people may have turned around and gone somewhere else rather than hike the half mile uphill from the closest parking spot.
The water around the small ramp you are talking about might be three feet deep at winter pool, if that.
Is there an easy way to get to that ramp from Hwy.68? I was there once, but got lost for a while. It was very hard to find. Then got lost again on the way back.
Not really. It's unmarked and you just have to know which house to turn next to.
I think the easiest way (and better roads) is to go into Murray and take 121 south towards New Concord. About 8 miles out you turn left onto 280 then go about a mile and turn right. The map shows the road as Deerberry but I don't know if it is marked. Follow that road until it ends. I think this road is all gravel. You can take back roads from the 68-80 bridge and save 5 or 6 miles but it wont be much quicker.Quote:
Originally Posted by wilbur
I agree, The first of April, its a mad house, you better get there early....Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
Quote:
Originally Posted by whitehat
Thank you for the updates.
Guys,
Any update on Wildcat boat ramp? headed down next week.
Thanks !
It's open. The water is muddy.
yeap...It's open. Has anybody put in there yet? Was wondering how the new ramp was?
I put in there last weekend. It's fine but there was nothing wrong with the surface of the old one, either. The guy that dropped me in said that the deep drain grooves that they cut in it at an angle messed with his eyes trying to back the trailer in.
Thanks for the Update !!