Boat launch renovation

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In 2017, we had our boat ramp and dock renovated. The angle of the ramp was too long and shallow in extremely low water, so the new ramp was steeper.

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Before: The ramp is wide and shallow with a jersey barrier on one side. The dock is an old steel barge. The shoreline is wrapped with stone and metal debris.

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Before: The shoreline was a tumble of broken pieces of concrete and metal scrap.

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Before: Only one section of shoreline revetment was neatly done.

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Before: The dock was made from a sunken barge.

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Before: The shoreline was made of a variety of fill, including tires. This picture was taken during excavation for the new boat ramp and shoreline.

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A crane was used to install the steel cofferdam. It had a hammer attachment that pushed the steel into the sediment near the barge.

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A crane was used to install the steel cofferdam.

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The steel cofferdam. It created an area that the water could be pumped out of so they could work on the ramp.

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An excavator removes the old ramp and fill from the launch area.

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Before: There were also a lot of old dock pilings and cribbing below the water that had to be removed.

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A pile of debris that used to be the fill at the shoreline.

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An excavator removes the old ramp and fill from the launch area.

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After the ramp was removed and regraded, a compactor was used to flatten the ramp.

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Next, gravel was placed on the ramp.

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Then rebar was placed on the gravel.

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Water was pumped out of the cofferdam so crews could work below water level and pour cement for the ramp.

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The ramp has grooves in it to improve traction.

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Section by section, the new cement for the ramp was put in place.

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Two arms were welded to the old dock. This will be for the floating docks to attach to.

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Crews spread a new concrete cap on top of the old dock.

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A walkway was added to the dock next to the boat ramp. Before, there was a metal causeway that went from the parking lot down to the boat dock, and a paved pathway down for vehicle loading.

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Stone was delivered to the Field Station.

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An excavator was used to place stones along the shoreline in a neat revetment.

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The finished revetment is nice and tidy.

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A floating dock was added to the dock.

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After: The ramp is steeper and has less obstructions around it. The dock has a nice concrete top and a floating dock with a ramp down to it. The shoreline is neatly wrapped with stone.

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The finished dock and boat launch.

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Using our new boat launch for the first time.

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Brian Haas prepares a boat to go take some pictures of our nice new dock.

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There is a ramp down to the floating dock so it is accessible whatever the water level.

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The new dock and floating dock.

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A waterfront sign for the GLC and the nice new stone revetment.