The Lake Havasu Dredging Project-Opening New Horizons

The biggest thing to hit the Lake Havasu boating scene in some time is undoubtedly the new deep-water channel at the northern end of Lake Havasu. It will allow easy access to and from the Colorado River and open up a gateway into the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

According to Jim Salscheider, executive director of the Lake Havasu Marine Association, boaters wanting access to the river north of the city have long faced challenges. Sedimentary deposits have created a large sandbar at the mouth of the river, posing a risk of grounding and even injury to boaters.

The Next Step

Construction on the channel began on Tuesday, December 6 and is expected to last only ten days. The channel will be a no-wake zone marked with buoys and is projected to be open for boaters around February 1, 2012.

The approval and permit process was no easy task–the project design had to pass through five federal agencies and two California state agencies over 12 months to get the required permits. The cooperative effort was unprecedented and will hopefully open up new possibilities for Lake Havasu in the future.

The channel will be constructed at no cost to taxpayers, thanks to the Marine Association efforts to secure funding through private donations and local fundraisers. The willingness to contribute to a better Arizona boating experience is a testament to the strength of the area’s boating community.

Making it Happen

There’s no better time to bring, borrow or rent a boat and take in the magnificence of one of the best boating lakes in America and 60 miles of some of the best crusing in the West. Have a look at our current travel deals and book a trip today!

Upcoming Events

U.S Angler’s Choice Team Tournament (January 14, 2012)