Ghost Lake Boat Launch: Is It Open For Business?

Ghost Lake, a man-made reservoir located 45 kilometres west of Calgary, is a popular destination for boating and camping. The reservoir is used as a major flood mitigation tool, which has resulted in restricted access for water activities in the past. However, in 2018, a new boat launch was opened, providing better access for boaters. Ghost Lake Marina offers facilities for various recreational water sports, including sailboats, yachts, powerboats, and fishing boats.

Ghost Lake boat launch opening may salvage a 'horrible' year for Ghost Lake Recreations

Ghost Lake boat launch opening may salvage a horrible year for Ghost Lake Recreations

The $2.5-million, three-lane boat launch at Ghost Reservoir finally opened in July 2018, sparking hope for a revival for Ghost Lake Recreations, a boat sales and service operation that had suffered a significant decline in business.

Owner Mike Weinert described the period before the launch opening as "a horrible year", with an 80% drop in business due to blocked access to the man-made lake. The reservoir had been lowered by six metres to mitigate flooding in Calgary, resulting in a shortened boating season and missed three-day weekends.

Weinert, who has a 40-year lease to operate Ghost Lake Recreations and a nearby campground, expressed frustration at the lack of support from the government for recreational boating on the reservoir. However, with the new boat launch, he hoped to see a return of boaters and campers, extending the post-2013 flood season from three months to five.

The new launch, measuring 90 metres by 25 metres, doubled the length and widened the previous launch, which couldn't be used during low water levels. The upgrade also included a paved parking area, improved truck and trailer queues, and refurbished washrooms.

Weinert's business, located just off Highway 1A, offers facilities for various recreational water sports, including sailboats, yachts, powerboats, and fishing boats. With the new launch, he anticipated a rebound for his marina, which had only half of its 100 berths filled with boats prior to the flood. He also hoped for a boost in his campground, which traditionally catered to boaters.

The opening of the Ghost Lake boat launch marked a turning point, offering extended time on the water and a potential boost to the local recreation industry.

The new boat launch will extend the post-2013 flood season by two months

The Ghost Reservoir in Alberta, Canada, is a popular destination for boating and water sports enthusiasts. However, in recent years, the reservoir has been impacted by flood mitigation efforts, which have resulted in lower water levels and a shorter boating season. This has had a significant impact on local businesses, including Ghost Lake Recreations, a boat sales and service operation owned by Mike Weinert.

To address this issue, a new $2.5-million boat launch was constructed and opened in July 2018. The new launch is 90 metres long and 25 metres wide, doubling the length and widening the previous launch. This extended size means that, unlike the old launch, it can be used during low water levels. The upgrade also includes a paved parking area, upgraded truck/trailer queues, and refurbished washrooms.

The new boat launch is expected to extend the post-2013 flood season by two months, from three months to five. This extension will bring the boating season back to its original five-month duration. The longer season is anticipated to benefit businesses in the area, such as Ghost Lake Recreations, by increasing the number of visitors and customers.

The impact of the new boat launch on the local economy is already being felt. With the launch now open, businesses are hopeful that boaters and campers will return to the area. The extended season provides more opportunities for revenue generation and helps to make up for the losses incurred during the shortened seasons of previous years. This is especially beneficial for businesses that rely heavily on the summer months, such as those offering boat rentals, campground sites, and water sports facilities.

The new boat launch at Ghost Reservoir is, therefore, a positive development for the local community and businesses. By extending the boating season, it boosts economic activity and helps to support the region's recreational and tourism industries. This investment in infrastructure demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that Albertans and visitors alike can continue to enjoy the reservoir and its surrounding amenities for years to come.

Ghost Lake Marina offers facilities for recreational water sports and activities

In addition to the standard boat launches, Ghost Lake Marina also offers an extension dolly trailer for launching deep keel boats. Launch and retrieval services are also available for a fee. The marina is conveniently situated within a short drive from Calgary, making it a popular destination for boating enthusiasts in the area.

The Ghost Reservoir, on which the marina is located, is a man-made body of water that has been subject to flood mitigation efforts in recent years. This has impacted the water levels and, consequently, the businesses operating in the area, including Ghost Lake Recreations, which offers boat sales and rentals, campground, and marina services.

In 2018, a new $2.5 million boat launch was opened, extending the boating season and providing much-needed relief to businesses and recreational boaters alike. This new launch measures 90 metres by 25 metres, doubling the length and widening the previous launch, which was unusable during low water conditions. The upgrade also included a paved parking area, improved truck/trailer queues, and refurbished washrooms.

Ghost Lake boat launch was closed due to threats of flooding

Ghost Lake, a man-made reservoir west of Calgary, has been a popular destination for boating and camping. However, in recent years, the lake has faced challenges due to flood mitigation efforts. The reservoir is used as a major flood mitigation tool, and as a result, its water levels are intentionally lowered during the spring flooding season to reduce the risk of flooding in nearby areas.

This necessary precaution has had a significant impact on businesses operating in and around Ghost Lake, particularly those involved in recreational activities. One such business is Ghost Lake Recreations, owned by Mike Weinert, which offers boat rentals, repairs, and campground services. Due to the lowered water levels and the threat of flooding, the Ghost Lake boat launch was closed, and access to the lake was blocked. This closure had a devastating effect on Weinert's business, with an estimated 80% decline in a single year.

The timing of the closure also cut short an already short boating season, causing Weinert to miss out on several three-day weekends that are usually busy for his business. The situation left him feeling lonely and frustrated, as he had signed a 40-year lease with the provincial government to operate his business within the Ghost Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area.

To address the challenges faced by businesses and recreational users, a new $2.5-million boat launch was constructed and opened in July 2018. This new launch, measuring 90 metres by 25 metres, doubled the length and widened the previous launch, making it usable even during low water levels. The upgraded facility also included a paved parking area, improved truck and trailer queues, and refurbished washrooms.

With the new boat launch in place, Weinert and other business owners in the area hoped for a revival in their fortunes and a return of boaters and campers to Ghost Lake. The extended launch was expected to bring back the original five-month boating season and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.

The new boat launch will bring relief to boaters on water-starved Ghost Lake

Ghost Lake, a man-made reservoir 45 kilometres west of Calgary, has been a popular boating destination. However, in recent years, the lake has been water-starved, with water levels lowered to mitigate flooding risks in the region. This situation has had a detrimental impact on businesses that rely on recreational activities on the lake, such as Ghost Lake Recreations, a boat sales and service operation.

The operator of Ghost Lake Recreations, Mike Weinert, has experienced a significant decline in business due to the reduced water levels. With access to the lake restricted, his boat rental, repair, and campground services have suffered. Weinert has expressed his frustration, stating that the government's focus on flood mitigation has negatively affected his business and the overall enjoyment of the lake for boaters.

To address this issue, a new $2.5-million boat launch was constructed and opened in July 2018. This new launch is 90 metres long and 25 metres wide, doubling the length of the previous launch and providing much-needed improvements. The upgraded facility includes a paved parking area, enhanced truck and trailer queues, and refurbished washrooms.

The new boat launch brings relief to boaters and businesses alike. With the longer launch, boats can now access the water during low water levels, extending the boating season back to its original five months. This extension is expected to revitalise businesses like Ghost Lake Recreations, which has seen a significant drop in customers due to the shortened season.

The impact of the new launch is already being felt, with Weinert expressing hope for a rebound in his business. The longer launch not only facilitates boating activities but also encourages other water sports and recreational activities in the area. The improved access to the lake is expected to draw more visitors and boost the local economy, benefiting businesses and the community as a whole.

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