Riffe Lake Boat Launch: Open Or Closed?

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by the Mossyrock Dam. It is a popular destination for water sports and fishing, with several boat launches available. The lake offers fishing for a variety of species, including brown and rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and salmon. While Riffe Lake is open year-round, boat launch availability depends on water levels and can vary between different launch locations. Recent improvements have been made to enhance boat launching at lower lake levels, particularly at Mossyrock Park and Taidnapam Park. This article will explore the current status of boat launches at Riffe Lake and provide information on the lake's recreational offerings.

The Mossyrock Park boat launch is usable during most low-water conditions

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by the Mossyrock Dam. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and water sports. The Mossyrock Park boat launch is usable during most low-water conditions.

The Mossyrock Park boat launch has been extended to allow launching at lower lake levels. One of the ramps has been extended by about 150 feet, allowing boaters to launch at levels down to about 725 feet. This enables more boat angling at lower lake levels in spring and fall. The boat launch can now be used when the water level drops below 708 feet.

The Mossyrock Park boat launch is located on the south side of the dam, near the west end of the lake. The park itself is a year-round campground with 152 ADA-accessible campsites. The park offers camping facilities that can be reserved by phone. The day-use area is open, but the swim area is closed for the season.

It is important to note that the boat launches at the east end of the lake, Kosmos and Taidnapam Park, are not usable during low-water periods. These boat launches become unusable below reservoir levels of about 750 feet. For those looking to access the lake by boat, the Mossyrock Park boat launch is a more reliable option during periods of low water.

The Kosmos and Taidnapam Park boat launches are not usable during low-water periods

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by Mossyrock Dam. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The lake stretches more than 13 miles along US-12 east of Mossyrock and has a year-round open fishing season.

While Mossyrock Park boat launch remains usable during most low-water conditions, the same cannot be said for the Kosmos and Taidnapam Park boat launches. The latter two, located at the east end of the lake, are not usable during low-water periods. This is due to operational constraints, as the launches cannot be used below certain reservoir levels (747 feet for Kosmos and 760 feet for Taidnapam) and these levels cannot be extended.

The inaccessibility of the Kosmos and Taidnapam Park boat launches during low-water periods can be a significant issue for anglers and those in the tourism industry, as they rely on boat access to the lake. To address this, Tacoma Power has been working on improvements to the launching facilities. For instance, the Mossyrock Park boat launch has been extended by about 150 feet of concrete ramp, allowing boaters to launch at levels down to about 725 feet.

Despite these efforts, the low-water boat launch near Taidnapam Park at the east end of the lake is not expected to be completed during the upcoming recreation season. The concrete ramp is still under construction, with about half of it utilising a new design of interlocking pre-cast concrete slabs, while the upper portion will be concrete poured in place. Once completed, this new boat launch will be functional down to a reservoir elevation of about 718 feet, providing a welcome improvement for those wanting to access the eastern end of Riffe Lake.

The Mossyrock Park boat launch ramp has been extended by about 150 feet

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by the Mossyrock Dam. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating. Mossyrock Park, located near the west end on the south side of the dam, offers camping facilities and a boat launch ramp.

The improvements made to the Mossyrock Park boat launch address one of the biggest complaints from boaters at Riffe Lake. Previously, low water levels caused difficulties in launching boats, impacting both tourism and the incomes of those dependent on boat access to the lake. With the extended ramp, boaters can now access the lake more comfortably during spring and fall when water levels tend to be lower.

While the extended ramp enhances boat access, it is important to note that the ramp is quite long and steep, and no service docks are available. Boaters need to exercise caution when backing down the ramp with their vehicles and trailers. Additionally, the absence of service docks can make it challenging to get people and equipment in and out of larger boats.

The extension of the Mossyrock Park boat launch ramp by approximately 150 feet is a significant improvement, providing better access for boaters at Riffe Lake. This development allows for more boat angling during lower lake levels and enhances the overall lake experience for visitors.

The Taidnapam North boat launch and Mossyrock Park swim area are closed

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by the Mossyrock Dam. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating, with several boat launches available. However, as of December 24, the Taidnapam North boat launch and Mossyrock Park swim area are closed.

The Mossyrock Park boat launch has been extended to allow launching at lower lake levels. One of the ramps has been extended by about 150 feet, allowing boaters to launch at levels down to about 725 feet. This improvement addresses one of the biggest complaints about boating at Riffe Lake and will enable more boat angling during spring and fall when lake levels are typically lower.

The Taidnapam North boat launch, on the other hand, is currently closed. This boat launch is located at the east end of the lake, near Taidnapam Park. The concrete ramp for this launch is still under construction, with approximately half of the ramp featuring a new design of interlocking pre-cast concrete slabs, while the upper portion will be concrete poured in place. Once completed, the new boat launch will be functional down to a reservoir elevation of about 718 feet, providing improved access for anglers and others wishing to launch boats on the eastern end of Riffe Lake.

The closure of the Taidnapam North boat launch and Mossyrock Park swim area may be due to operational constraints or low water levels. Riffe Lake's water level has been a concern in recent years, with Tacoma Power dropping the maximum water level by about 30 feet in 2017 due to safety concerns. The lower water levels have impacted boat access and tourism in the area. Tacoma Power has been working to address these issues, and they hope to have the second boat launch and swim area open by Memorial Day.

While the Taidnapam North boat launch is closed, there are other boat launches available at Riffe Lake. The Mossyrock Park boat launch remains usable during most low-water conditions, and there are also boat launches at Kosmos and Taidnapam Park, although they become unusable during low-water periods. Additionally, the Riffe Lake Campground offers seasonal rentals of canoes, rowboats, and kayaks for those looking to get out on the water.

Swofford Pond is open all year and offers an unimproved boat launch

Riffe Lake, historically known as Mossyrock Lake, is a reservoir formed by the Mossyrock Dam. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and water sports. Boat launches are available at Mossyrock Park and Taidnapam Park, both owned by Tacoma Power. The Mossyrock Park boat launch has been extended to allow launching at lower lake levels. The Taidnapam North boat launch, however, is currently closed.

While Riffe Lake offers beautiful coves to relax and swim in, waterfalls, and hiking trails, Swofford Pond, located 5 miles east of Mossyrock, is also worth visiting. Swofford Pond is open all year and offers an unimproved boat launch. The pond is connected to the south shore of Riffe Lake via a spillway. It spans 216.5 acres and provides a good variety of fishing opportunities. While combustion engines are not allowed on Swofford Pond, anglers can expect to find Channel catfish, Brown Bullhead, Brown and Rainbow trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, Sucker, Yellow perch, and Crappie.

Swofford Pond is an excellent alternative to Riffe Lake for those seeking a year-round fishing and boating destination. The unimproved boat launch at Swofford Pond accommodates smaller boats, and the variety of fish species present offers a diverse fishing experience. The pond's connection to Riffe Lake via a spillway also provides a unique opportunity to explore two bodies of water.

In addition to its boating and fishing amenities, Swofford Pond is situated in a convenient location just 5 miles east of Mossyrock. This makes it easily accessible for visitors to Riffe Lake who are looking for a change of scenery or wanting to explore a different body of water. The pond's year-round accessibility is a significant advantage, especially during seasons when Riffe Lake experiences low water levels, which can make boat launching challenging.

Whether you're a fishing enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing day on the water, Swofford Pond is an excellent destination. Its proximity to Riffe Lake and the unimproved boat launch make it a convenient and attractive option for visitors seeking a tranquil and enjoyable outdoor experience.

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