Ridgway State Park will open the boat ramp to vessels on Thursday, March 15, 2012. The boat ramp is currently ice-free. However, there is still ice on the reservoir in certain locations, so boaters should use caution when operating in early spring.

Prior to launch, all vessels must be inspected to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels or have a valid pre-inspection seal and receipt.

From March 15 to April 30, the inspection station will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the inspection station is unmanned during these hours, please go to the park’s visitor center to have your boat inspected. The inspection hours from May through mid-September will be Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Vessels planning to launch outside of posted inspection times will require a pre-inspection seal and seal receipt prior to launch. Pre-inspection seals are to be removed by boaters upon launching, and placed along with the seal receipt, in the pre-inspection drop box located at the boat ramp. Boaters are also required to fill out the pre-inspection log sheet on the top of the drop box. Boaters can obtain a pre-inspection seal and receipt at the inspection station.