Mormon Island Lake 1 boat ramp to reopen by the weekend

Good news for boaters who frequent Mormon Island State Recreation Area south of Grand Island. The boat ramp at Lake No. 1 will reopen by the Labor Day weekend, according to Park Superintendent Brock Burney.

The lake’s swimming beach will remain closed for the rest of the season due to ongoing diesel fuel cleanup following the incident in which a semi-truck entered the lake July 31.

“We are taking precautions to keep the public safe and do our due diligence in environmental cleanup,” Burney said. “We are making progress in phases, working with environmental agencies.”

Any boaters planning on coming before Saturday, Aug. 31, should call the park office at 308-385-6211 to confirm the ramp is open.

Anyone shore fishing or launching a boat might find residual diesel on the surface near the shoreline.

For more information on Nebraska’s state parks, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov.