Banks Lake at Sunset
GRAND COULEE, Wash. – Attention fishing and boating enthusiasts: Several boat ramps at Banks Lake will be temporarily unavailable because of a scheduled drawdown.
The Bureau of Reclamation is lowering the elevation of Banks Lake by 7.3 feet to support environmental and operational objectives. The reservoir levels will be lowered on Aug. 23, and may remain low through Sept. 5. At that time, the reservoir will return to its regular operation elevation. The drawdown will reduce the lake’s elevation to 1,562.7 feet, impacting the accessibility of several boat ramps around the lake.
The public is advised to exercise caution around the reservoir and lakeshore during this period due to shallow water, unknown obstructions, and narrower channels. This reduction in the lake’s elevation occurs annually, from late August through early September.
Please see table showing which boat ramps will be available during this time, as well as a map indicating their locations. Four-wheel drive vehicles are generally recommended for access.
| Ramp Name | Managing Agency | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Rock - Northup | Washington State Parks | 1560 |
| Steamboat Rock - Osborn Bay | Washington State Parks | 1560 |
| Ankeny North* | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | 1544 (*Limited to small watercraft) |
| Coulee Playland** | Electric City | 1540 (**The main launch ties to an additional ramp that can be used to a water elevation of 1540) |
