DULUTH MN – Visitor access to the Zippel Bay State Park harbor on Lake of the Woods will be closed to both landing and launching boats Sept. 9 through Nov. 22 as a two-phase harbor improvement project begins, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“We’re asking visitors, especially boaters, to be patient while we complete the harbor improvement project,” said Doug Easthouse, Zippel Bay State Park manager.
“Once completed, we hope visitors will be pleased to find a deeper, extended harbor with additional docks and a sturdy new sea wall.”
Phase I of the project will include dredging the harbor, replacing the sea wall and adding more docks. During construction, access from land and water will be prohibited and the parking lot, boat ramp and harbor will be closed to boats landing or docking.
The beach and campgrounds will remain open throughout construction. Hunting in the park will occur as planned. The road leading to the harbor and water access will be closed to visitors past Anglers Campground.
All other road corridors will remain open. Boaters accessing Lake of the Woods can use the city of Warroad public access at end of Lake Street or Wheeler’s Point public access at the end of State Highway 172 at the mouth of the Rainy River.
Planning for Phase II of the project will begin this winter and will include improvements to the parking lot and fish-cleaning building, provision of water and electricity and an area for aquatic invasive species control. Funding for the project is being provided by the boating infrastructure grant through the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR water recreation account. For construction project updates or more information, visit park website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/zippel_bay.
Related articles
