Drought closes Mosquito boat ramps

July 17, 2012 at 7:36p.m.

CORTLAND

Boat launch ramps off state Routes 305 and 88 at Mosquito Lake were closed Tuesday due to drought- reduced water levels.

“It’s not high enough for boats to be launched safely,” Dan Jones, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers public affairs officer, said.

The water level at the Corps-owned lake, which averages 9 feet deep, is more than 3 feet below normal for July.

The closed Corps-operated launch off state Route 305 is on the east side of the lake, near the Lakeview Recreation Area in Cortland.

The closed ramp off Route 88 is a state-run launch on the east side of the lake, where the water depth is only 2 feet and falling.

A state park news release said that ramp is expected to remain closed for the remainder of this year’s boating season, until the area is dredged or there is significant rainfall.

Boat launches that remain open are at the state park marina and campground on the west side of the lake and at the Causeway Sporting Goods on the east side of the lake off the Route 88 causeway.

Other privately-owned launches are either closed or soon to close, a ranger said.