Public Boat Launches at Lake Calhoun and Lake Nokomis to Open Sunday, April 28

Launches Open and Aquatic Invasive Species Inspections Begin at 6 a.m.

After a nearly two-week cold weather delay, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will open its public boat launches at Lake Nokomis and Lake Calhoun on Sunday, April 28. The Lake Harriet public boat launch was damaged by ice over the winter and will remain closed until repairs are completed.

Following a resolution passed by the MPRB Board of Commissioners, all watercraft or water-related equipment entering the water at the public boat launches on Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species.

AIS inspectors will be on duty daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with boaters encouraged to launch watercraft before 9 p.m. To improve compliance with the AIS inspection requirement, the public boat launches will be locked during non-launch hours.

Only watercraft entering the water from the public boat launch will be inspected. Canoes, kayaks and sailboats either moored on the water or entering the lakes from other access points are not affected.

AIS inspections are scheduled to run through December 1. A list of frequently asked AIS inspection questions is available on the MBPR web site.

CONTACT:
Questions from media:
Robin Smothers, Communications & Marketing
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6410
rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org

Questions from the public:
Debra Pilger, Director, Environmental Management
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-313-7728
dpilger@minneapolisparks.org