New Albany Riverfront Boat Ramp

[HURRICANEBOB]

What do you all think of this ramp? Do you think if the city started a minor project to improve it, that it might get used more, and so benefit local business by drawing in more anglers who might buy local gas, food, bait, tackle, and stay in motel rooms etc. Do you think a fund raiser to help the city raise money to improve the ramp would work? Would a $3.00 per use ramp fee to help raise money to improve the ramp, and maintain it be too much to ask for the added benefit to boaters who would save gas money by ramping in closer to this boating and fishing area of the river. My thinking is with higher gas prices, folks might boat more if they could get to the dam and this area of the river if the ramp was a little more user friendly.

What do you think? Any history on the subject? All comments and suggestions welcomed.

[Moose1am]

Back in the late 1970's the Corp of Engineers built two very nice large boat ramp on the Vanderburgh County, IN side of the Ohio River. I think that they are owned by the City or County now and leased to folks. Those who obtain the lease agree to maintain the area and cut the grass. The leaser is allowed to charge a launch fee of around 4.00 a vehicle or boat.

I don't use these ramps as I don't like to fish the Ohio River due to the currents and filthy water quality. But many water craft are launched from these two boat ramps. The parking lots hold many boats and trailers. Perhaps 50 to 100 parking spaces in the parking lot and there are big large open grassy fields surrounding both ramps. One is at Angle Mounds up by Newburgh, IN and the other is downstream from Evansville at Dogtown.

The point is that the fees are charged and they are used to maintain these launch ramps. If they can do it here in Evansville perhaps they can do the same thing at New Albany?

Who owns that ramp near New Albany? The City, County or the State?

What do you all think of this ramp? Do you think if the city started a minor project to improve it, that it might get used more, and so benefit local business by drawing in more anglers who might buy local gas, food, bait, tackle, and stay in motel rooms etc. Do you think a fund raiser to help the city raise money to improve the ramp would work? Would a $3.00 per use ramp fee to help raise money to improve the ramp, and maintain it be too much to ask for the added benefit to boaters who would save gas money by ramping in closer to this boating and fishing area of the river. My thinking is with higher gas prices, folks might boat more if they could get to the dam and this area of the river if the ramp was a little more user friendly.

What do you think? Any history on the subject? All comments and suggestions welcomed.

[ohiorivercatfisherman]

which ramp are you referring to? the one under I64 bridge, or the one across from the Lower Dam?

i hear the ramp across from the dam is about to be redone and angled differently so that loading in the currents arent a problem.

i use the ramp under I64 all the time, and dont have any problems with it, although when water is low there is a nasty drop off, and ive seen axels ripped off trailers!! use the ramp on down 111 1/2 way to the gambling boat it's alot better, and not used much

[Tyme2fish]

The Clarksville ramp is nice, but if they change the water release you can be in big trouble trying to recover your boat on the trailer. Been there,done that.

That's why I currently use the New Albany ramp under I-64. Yeh, the ramp and access are in bad shape but I feel safer there with truck and trailer parked as the area is patrolled regularly.

There are a few submerged rocks on that ramp, so be careful, stay to the shore side of the ramp. River side of the ramp has a nasty dropoff that can grab trailers.

[Fisherjoe]

which ramp are you referring to? the one under I64 bridge, or the one across from the Lower Dam?

i hear the ramp across from the dam is about to be redone and angled differently so that loading in the currents arent a problem.

i use the ramp under I64 all the time, and dont have any problems with it, although when water is low there is a nasty drop off, and ive seen axels ripped off trailers!! use the ramp on down 111 1/2 way to the gambling boat it's alot better, and not used much

The ramp 1/2 way to Horseshoe Casino is called Middle Creek ramp. Check it carefully before launch. There are several holes spread across, as well as several pieces of rebar twisted around.

[riversrme]

I tried twice this season to launch my 22ft boat at the New Albany ramp. Small trailers would probably be ok but my tandom trailer drops off. I backed slowly several times across the whole ramp and was afraid that I would damage the trailer or wouldn't be able to get my boat back out. The thing is that they did a lot of work at the park and made a nice walking trail, but ignored the boat ramp. They also reduced the number of places to park a boat and trailer. I went to the Middle Creek ramp to launch but was real nervous about leaving my truck and trailer there for three days, since it is so remote. Fortunately nobody bothered it. I wrote to the city park super about the awful condition of the ramp but did not get a reply. New Albany officials should do something about this. Since I live in the area I plan to pursue getting some action but I won't hold my breath. The city has pretty much turned their back on the river. It's a shame!

[Tyme2fish]

The river is too low to launch from the New Albany ramp at this time. I will not attempt to launch my 18 foot Stratos from that ramp till the river comes back up about 3 feet.

[riversrme]

What do you all think of this ramp? Do you think if the city started a minor project to improve it, that it might get used more, and so benefit local business by drawing in more anglers who might buy local gas, food, bait, tackle, and stay in motel rooms etc. Do you think a fund raiser to help the city raise money to improve the ramp would work? Would a $3.00 per use ramp fee to help raise money to improve the ramp, and maintain it be too much to ask for the added benefit to boaters who would save gas money by ramping in closer to this boating and fishing area of the river. My thinking is with higher gas prices, folks might boat more if they could get to the dam and this area of the river if the ramp was a little more user friendly.

What do you think? Any history on the subject? All comments and suggestions welcomed.

If you are on the Kentucky side the Greenwood ramp at Ohio River mile 619 is a much better ramp with a large parking area, restrooms, picnic area, and a dock. It is only 12 miles from McAlpine Dam. Its located just off Cane Run Road.

[Jax]

Hi. I'm new here and new to fishing. I'm from New Albany.

You have to watch leaving your vehicles down by the I-64 ramp. They have had quite a few break ins in the last month. 13 was the last count I heard. They are breaking into the parked cars in between the patrols. The crooks aren't just breaking the windows. They are prying out part of the door frame to make less noise.

As far as I know they still do not know who is doing it.

That ramp is rough. I agree it needs to be fixed.

[Tyme2fish]

JAX: Thanks for the news. Is there any particular time of day/night the breakins occur??
One more thing to worry about when fishing the Ohio!!

[Jax]

JAX: Thanks for the news. Is there any particular time of day/night the breakins occur??
One more thing to worry about when fishing the Ohio!!

Mid afternoon seems to be an active time. I've heard they are looking for the "walkers". Specifically they wait for the women to go walking and then break in and steal their purses. That's about all I know. My wife and took my little girl down to see the barges a couple of weeks ago. We watched a DNR guy drive by but he watching very hard. Not much security at all.

Its a shame that they can not make it nicer down there. It has a lot of potental.

[riversrme]

Update. After writing a letter to the city, I was contacted by the mayor's office and they asked me to see if I could find the right contact with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to get a permit for repairing the ramp. I did this and was assured that they would move forward to get the permit and repair the ramp. I don't know how long that will take but I do know that repairs must be done during low water, so I am hoping that it will happen this summer or fall. Encouraging news, but I will remain cautiously optimistic. I also threw in the fact that a small dock is needed.