Central Ferry boat launch open

Paving work on a boat launch on the south side of the Snake River in Garfield County has been completed. The project was funded by grants over two years, according to an article in the Aug. 2 East Washingtonian at Pomeroy.

The boat launch in Garfield County was developed to meet a need for a launch site along that part of the river. The demand has continued since the Army Corps of Engineers shut down the Central Ferry Park and launch on the Whitman County side of the river.

The EW report notes boaters went through the construction zone for impromptu launches while the project was underway. Port of Garfield manager Diane Ruchert noted boaters from as far away as the Tri-Cities and Colfax are among those who used the south-side site at Central Ferry to launch boats.

Paving on the project was finished in June. The project includes parking spaces and a designated lane for trucks going to the grain terminal on the Garfield County side of the river. A bathroom was relocated at the launch site as part of the project.

Ruchert credited State Sen. Mark Schoesler and Rep. Mary Dye for getting grant funds for the project.