TAHOE VISTA — The Coon Street and Tahoe Vista Recreation Area boat launches are expected to remain closed for the summer season due to low water levels, according to the North Tahoe Public Utility District.

According to a recent runoff forecast, Lake Tahoe is only anticipated to rise about one foot from its current level due to limited snowpack, which is near 45 percent of average.

“Based on current water levels and the anticipated runoff from this year’s snowpack, the District does not see the possibility that this situation will change in the coming months,” says Kathy Long, Parks and Facilities Manager of the North Tahoe Public Utility District. “However, kayaks and other small boats will be able to access the Lake by walking down the ramps.”

Closures to these areas are not uncommon during parts of the summer, but all-summer shut downs are rare, Long said.

“We closed them early last year,” Long said. “We barely made it to Labor Day.” We did close Coon Street in 2005 at the end of the summer as well.”

Boaters accustomed to using Coon Street or Tahoe Vista are encouraged to use Lake Forest or Sand Harbor ramps instead.

Due to recent regulations adopted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency this year to address the threat of Aquatic Invasive Species, the District encourages all boaters to verify the launch they intend to use will be open before traveling to their destination this year.

Coon Street is owned by the State of California Department of Boating and Waterways and operated by the District. Tahoe Vista, which opened in 2006, is owned by the North Tahoe Public Utility District.