Thanks to the Corps and.........

[mkmsports41]

Went to Barren on Sunday to check out the Port Oliver Ramp. I know the Corps was and involved but not sure who else. But a big thanks to them for what they have done. I have to say its probably the nicest ramp/facility I have ever been too. I really like the bank fishing options for people who dont have boats. I know there was alot of bitching about the gravel parking lot/drive before hand, but it was well worth the wait. Plus you didnt have to use the ramp at that time either, could have went to Penninsula.

The only down falls I see is the walk way around the ramp area should have been cut short by a few hundred feet. I dont use the curtosy docks much. (Over time too many nails/screws stick out) I use the ramp or beach the boat with my hambys. Not much room for beaching the boat.
Plus, I am affraid there will be some lower unit damage when the lake floods and people dont know the railing is there.

If you havent seen it you should stop by and check it out. Nice place for a picnic and to take the kids to play on the playground. Nicely lit at night, restroms, and lights on the sidewalks. Glad our $3 per launch went to something I can use!

[TimE]

Living three miles from the dam, i was a hater from the beginning. I've always thought that was the prettiest point on the lake and then it was touted as a "tournament ramp". I really hated the idea then!!

My wife, young son, and I also visited it Sunday and WOW! I'm impressed!! We walked around the whole thing and my wife has now wrote off the Ymca for exercise. Too bad that it's gonna be flooded about 3-4 months a year.

[Olgrey]

Wondered about the flooding myself. You would think that they, the Corps, would know where the lake normally floods to and would put bathrooms and other structures above a 50 or 100 year flood line. I understand that fishing walkways need to be near the waters edge, but not the other structures. How sharp do you have to be to figure out that the structures can not be used if they flood. They built the ramp, added bathrooms and other structures later and in May of 2010 it flooded. It had to be repaired and redone and local gossip has it that it could have been reopened about the first of this year(work was complete), but the corps did not want people walking on the grass and using the facility until April. It is a nice facility and will get plenty of use, but I think they made mistakes in locating structues so close to the flood plain and in waiting so long to reopen the facility. Just my opinion folks, its like ears, most people have some.

[kygorski]

again, why are there no handicapped fishing sites on barren river lake? The meandering walk way is a start, but thats about all. I'm not talking arthritis a serious handicap, there are some folks who would love to fish, but wheel chair accessible places are almost non existant. A person with COPD would never be able to use the new ramp at cumberland, its a heck of a chore for me sometimes, with a bad knee.How about a disabled vet, could they make that trek? The corp does a great job,well the volunteers at camp sites do the job, but all the launch sites are clean, rest rooms are great, and usually there is enough parking.But what happens next week if the gov. shuts down?

[smashdn]

But what happens next week if the gov. shuts down?

I stop paying the $3 launch fee.

I am with you on the handicap access fishing. I am not handicapped or really know of anyone that is taht would use those type of facilities but it is a good idea to look into. I think the Narrows fishing pier is handicap accessible, supposedly.