Lane County Parks’ popular Hendricks Bridge boat ramp will see major improvements this summer thanks to a partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
The current boat ramp has deteriorated and there is now a steep drop-off at the end of the ramp, which can damage boat trailers. The alignment of the boat ramp also creates strong currents across the ramp, which makes it difficult to launch and retrieve boats.
The improvements will reconstruct and realign the boat ramp, as well as expanding the parking area to reduce congestion and increase maneuverability. The construction work is extensive and will require closure of the park and boat ramp from Monday, June 8, until October 1, 2020.
“This project has been in the works for several years and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous funding from the Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Lane County Parks Manager Brett Henry. “We know that our boating community has been looking forward to these improvements and we are excited that we can begin next week.”
The total estimated cost of the project is $858,000 with the bulk of the funding coming from the ODFW’s Sportfish Restoration Fund and OSMB.
Alternate boat ramps include the Bellinger and Hayden Bridge. Emmerich Landing, which is a pole slide ramp, is also an alternative.
About Hendricks Bridge:
Hendricks Bridge boat ramp is located on the McKenzie River below Leaburg Dam. It is part of the larger 18-acre Hendricks Bridge Park east of Springfield on Highway 126 (38870 Hendricks Park Road, Springfield). The ramp typically averages 8,000 users per year; however, those numbers have decreased as the ramp has deteriorated.
This section of river is popular with anglers, as well as floaters and paddlers and offers two popular river runs: Leaburg Dam to Hendricks Bridge, and Hendricks Bridge to Hayden Bridge.
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