Just in time for the Fourth of July, many Lake Whitney area parks are reopening facilities to the public after recent flooding.
Lake Whitney State Park officials announced last week that the park is expected to reopen Monday, July 1, and U.S. Corps of Engineers facilities are expected to begin opening this week.
The state park has been closed in recent weeks due to flood cleanup after heavy May rainfall caused the lake level to rise. Park Superintendent Adam Bain said that the park was fortunate not to have any major facility damage, but roads need to dry out before they are reopened to traffic, and there are erosion issues in various spots of the shoreline. Park officials were also waiting on water to recede to assess the main swim beach.
Other projected opening dates are being listed by the Corps and are subject to change. As of the weekend, expected opening dates for Corps parks were listed as follows:
Cedar Creek – The boat ramp was expected to open Saturday, June 29.
Kimball Bend – All campsites were expected to be open Tuesday, June 25. The boat ramp will remain closed due to bridge construction.
Lofers Bend – The boat ramp was scheduled to open Saturday, June 29. The swim beach and picnic areas will remain closed until water has been off of the roads for 14 days.
Lofers East – The majority of the campground was set to reopen Saturday, June 29. The boat ramp and primitive campsites were to remain closed to allow for a 14-day drying period.
Lofers West – The boat ramp and all campsites were projected to open Saturday, June 29.
McCown Valley – The boat ramp and all campsites were set to reopen Saturday, June 29. The day use swim beach area will remain closed pending road repairs.
Riverside Park – The access ramp is closed and there is no camping available. The park is open for day use only.
Soldiers Bluff – The park remains partially closed, with the lower day use loop unavailable.
Steele Creek – Both boat ramps and some campsites are closed with no opening date announced.
Walling Bend – Campsites and one boat ramp are closed. The cliff side ramp remains open.
Cedron Creek Park was still listed as partially closed over the weekend, with some boat ramps and campsites unavailable.
Nolan River Park and Plowman Creek Park were also listed as fully closed with no opening date announced.
At Aquilla Lake, the Dairy Hill and Old School boat ramps were projected to open Tuesday, June 25. The outlet works and fishing platform access point is still fully open.
For updates on openings, visit http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm.
The Lakelander 