Caution: Low water at Lake Columbia; Only one boat ramp available for usage

Planning to do a little fishing or boating at Lake Columbia in the next couple of weeks? If so, plan on launching your boat from the east ramp at the South Shore Landing, according to John Ed Gunnels, lake supervisor. The west ramp is currently under construction, thanks to a $30,000 allocation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. It’s being extended farther into the water, primarily because the water depth is only three inches at the end of the existing ramp. Also, be advised: in spite of recent bouts of heavy rain, the lake’s water level remains low. As of yesterday, it measured 84 inches, having risen only about six inches in the past month. The biggest problem, Gunnels said, is that because of drought conditions, the rain has been absorbed into the ground rather than running off into the lake. Also contributing to the low level are water usage by municipal utilities and evaporation, he said. Find more on this story in today’s Banner-News!