DEC Notifies Public of Closure to Wilcox Dock and Boat Launch
Boat launch temporarily closed for maintenance July 26th - July 29th
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is notifying the public that the Wilcox Dock and Boat Launch in the City of Plattsburgh will be closed next week. The boat launch will be closed for the duration of the project beginning, Monday, July 26th through Thursday, July 29th.
DEC Operations staff and the City of Plattsburgh will be working to fix a deep pit that has formed at the end of the boat launch ramp known as a power loading hole. Power loading holes happen when a person forcefully drives a boat on to or off a trailer creating significant propeller wash that erodes the lakebed. These holes are not always seen from the surface of the water and can be dangerous to boaters and cause damage to boats and trailers.
To avoid creating power loading holes or sustaining damage from them, boaters should:
- Always check the end of the ramp for holes and mounds before launching, especially in low water level conditions.
- Use slightly more than idle speed to load or unload your boat to avoid creating power loading holes.
- Use trailer winch to load and unload instead of power loading.
DCEE, Region 5
1115 State Route 86 P.O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977
