Lake D'Arbonne Launch Repairs

Can anyone give me some information on a reliable person to contact about this topic? It's pretty embarrassing what some of the launches look like right now. And this wasn't even patched up for one of the biggest crowds there is in the Crappie fishing world which tells me nobody cares. So someone is about to get pestered til it gets fixed. Mainly Stowe Creek needs the repairs. We all know why this happens, no need to dwell over the details. Just need to repair it as cheaply as possible to avoid fishermen tearing the tires off their trailers and move on. There's been several already have blow outs due to the potholes at Stowe Creek.

Thanks,
W

I wish I knew someone, waxnslabs, because I agree with you; something needs to be done, especially at the Stowe Creek landing. I applaud you for taking this matter on. It is, as you say, an embarrassment to everyone associated with Lake D'Arbonne when a national event such as Crappie Masters comes to the lake. Plus, the trouble all of the local fishermen have with the potholes and the ramp. I would recommend that you might start with the D'Arbonne Lake Commission. Thanks again.

Well I actually have talked to one individual with the Lake Commission who should have the upmost say on the matter and haven't gotten anywhere. Which is the problem. Starts at the top. That's a whole diff story I won't go in to. I'm just looking for someone in the farmerville area who will get a tractor down there two times a year to fill the holes in. Doesn't take much to please a fisherman. Yes this is half doing it but anything is better than what we have now.

I think the commission uses a different ramp to launch their ski boats.

I've said before I'd be cool with them taking up a launch fee to be used toward upkeep and improvements. Stowe ramp is terrible and none of the bridge lights work anymore, at least there's some porta-jons at a couple ramps now.

I did see a pic of freebird on a bulldozer week or so ago. Maybe he can help. :-)

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Originally Posted by 20watt

I've said before I'd be cool with them taking up a launch fee to be used toward upkeep and improvements. Stowe ramp is terrible and none of the bridge lights work anymore, at least there's some porta-jons at a couple ramps now.

I did see a pic of freebird on a bulldozer week or so ago. Maybe he can help. :-)

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This is something that will need to come up at some point IMO if we want nice stuff. Fishing is what I love so I'd invest in it. I'm for a (ex. $20) parking pass fee to fish the lake for the year, but I know that would really make some people mad. Again, you get what you pay for however. That's way cheaper than replacing a tire on a trailer in a thunderstorm every other trip. Trust me
This way you don't deal with having to pay people to take up money and it can be paid for and received by mail every year.

But a lot could be done to help out with some funding like this. As you mentioned, some Jons here and there, and maybe some ramp lighting for those who get back a little later.

I'd support a small annual fee as long as the money was used strictly for ramp maintenance and not siphoned off into some sort of general fund like the state does. They do that for Cane River in Natchitoches. When I lived there it was $25/year permit.

I agree with a yearly permit to launch. The need more ramps any where would be good. I have to get up extra early to make sure I can have a place to park. By all means I will pester someone as well if you get to the right person. However still not going to keep me from enjoying the lake.

Police Jury?

To clarify my post, I didn't mean that Natchitoches siphoned off the Cane River fee to the general fund; I just meant that a permit was required to fish Cane River.

You need to get a email campaign to your congressmen and state representatives.

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/fa...federalaid.pdf

Thanks for the link JR

If anyone who reads this wants to feel free to let them know of some things you feel need improving on the lake and why. Biggest point of interest is there's an opportunity for the town of Farmerville and towns surrounding it to really get ahead of the curve financially. This being Crappie Masters is showing more and more interest in the area. If you don't think crappie fishing makes much of an impact financially, do some research on the town of Grenada. Pretty mind blowing. Every single person can benefit from funds that come into the area. As someone stated earlier, the lake can be enjoyed either way. However, if you've ever used really good facilities, it's hard to go back to not having them. Why not have the best.

In the meantime, the purpose of the thread is simply to get Stowe Creek launch patched up as cheaply as possible. From what I'm understanding, there's been between 5-10 blowouts down there this month. I'm putting myself in someone else's shoes. I'd hate to be that guy when it can be avoided by moving a little dirt around here and there. I've been in contact with the Lake Commission on simply getting someone down there with a tractor and smoothing it out. Not sure how far it's gotten yet but if anyone feels they can add to the matter to speed up the process feel free to do so. To give a little bit of what the conversation looked like: I was told there's 9 other ramps we can use. I don't know about you, but I'm not ok with that answer and I made sure the person I was speaking to knew that. Keep in mind there's strength in numbers getting something done. The lake commission doesn't fund these things, but they can be a voice for us to get something done to make it better accessible. Contact them if you feel the need.

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Originally Posted by jig rig

You need to get a email campaign to your congressmen and state representatives.

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/fa...federalaid.pdf

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My family and I were there for a 4 day weekend recently and we were impressed with the number and locations of the many ramps on the lake. But the Stowe Creek ramp road is pretty bad. Certainly needs some repair and soon. I might mention that the Corp. Lakes in Arkansas charge $3.00 a day to launch or $30 for an annual permit, $15 if you have a golden age card. I think something like that on D'Arbonne would be reasonable, I'd have gladly paid it. Good luck.

If this helps.....

State Representative District 12 Lincoln & Union Parish
Rob Shadoin
207 West Alabama
Ruston, LA 71270
318.251.5039
[email protected]
District 33
Senator Mike Walsworth
4007 White's Ferry Road, Ste A
West Monroe, LA 71291
318.396.5499
318.396.0192 fax
Public Service Commission
Foster Campbell
124 S. Grand Street
Monroe, LA 71201
800.256.2412
318.362.3318

Thanks Barneyrb

With it being the road that needs attention as opposed to the actual ramp... I would think it would be more of a union parish issue. They have the equipment and a little gravel would be a quick short term fix.

The ramp roads and ramps are owned and maintained by the state. Last year the state wanted to pay the lake commission to take ownership of them but the lake commissioners voted it down because they don't have the revenue to maintain them. The best way to approach this is with Senator Mike Walsworth. He is aware of the issues; a petition would help if it generator enough signatures.

As today has progressed, it's gotten to that level. I can assure you it will be tended to in a manner that fishermen can at least get their boats down there and back without hitting a bunch of holes. I don't think anyone is interested in having it look like the Hilton parking lot. Some people with a little stroke are involved now.

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Originally Posted by Southern Chuter

The ramp roads and ramps are owned and maintained by the state. Last year the state wanted to pay the lake commission to take ownership of them but the lake commissioners voted it down because they don't have the revenue to maintain them. The best way to approach this is with Senator Mike Walsworth. He is aware of the issues; a petition would help if it generator enough signatures.

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Thanks, waxnslabs, for stirring the pot and getting someone who can get something done involved.

The road going to Stowe Creek would be much easier and cheaper to maintain if it was turned back to gravel. I've seen this happen in other places. Run a road grader over it 4 times a year would work.

There's another thread that's been created called Lake D'Arbone Maintenance attach Email. If you would like to contribute to bettering the lake type your email address in that thread and I'll fwd you some information.

Senator Walsworth has responded thanking some of us for the emails. Again please refer to this Thread : (Lake D'Arbonne Maintenance attach your Email) if you would like to send your comments to him. Strength in numbers getting this done.