El Dorado State Park

Most Facilities Now Open

With the onset of the warm weather, most of the shower and restroom facilities have been opened up for the 2012 summer recreation season. The following is the current open list: Walnut River - All restroom and shower facilities are open, including the beach house. Shady Creek - Facilities in Loops 2, 3, & 4 are open. Boulder Bluff - The water and electricity is on in the Horse Campground, and the Area 2 Restroom/Shower is open.

Lake Level Close to Normal Pool

(To get the most up to date Lake information, go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' web page, which is loacated at http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELDR.lakepage.html .) This news page may not always be current, due to staffing and scheduling.

Pool elevation is 1339.21 feet on Thursday 19Apr12 Time: 1300 hours. At this elevation the total amount of water stored in El Dorado Lake is 160333 acre-feet. Reservoir release is 7 cubic feet per second on Thursday 19Apr12 Time: 1300 hours.

Since the lake is around normal conservation pool, it is still recommended to be cautious of submerged stumps and objects. Remember that many of the shorelines and points are shallow, so when boating, stay further away from points and tree areas than you think may be necessary. Operate the boat at a slower speed when in questionable waters. Raise the lower unit when possible (under questionable conditions). Stay safe and be cautious!

2012 Park Permits (Current prices - Peak season prices through 9/30/12)

2012 Park permits and licenses are available at all KDWPT Park Offices throughout the state. Permits at El Dorado State Park are also available at all Camp Hosts, Gate Hosts, the Bluestem Point Permit Station (Adjacent to the Bait Shop), and all self pay stations.

Permit prices (Peak season rates, 4/1-9/30) are as follows: Ann. Vehicle - $ 24.70; Sr./Disabled Ann. Vehicle - $ 13.60; Daily Veh. - $4.20; Sr./Dis. Daily Veh. - $2.85; Ann. Camp - $252.50; 14 Day Camp - $101.50; Daily Camp - $8.50; Utilities = 1 Util. (elec) - $8; 2 Util. (water & elec) - $10; 3 Util. (water, elec, sewer) - $11.

Long Term Camping (30 day) monthly rate = $401.50, which includes water, elec. & sewer. (User must also possess an Annual Camp permit).

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Bye Bye Birdies!

Another season of eagle watching has ended. The warmer weather has moved in, thus causing the bald eagles to move farther north. Bird watchers may see a late procrastinator around, but for the most part, we won't see any more bald eagles here until late next Fall. But not to worry. With Springtime so close, many other bird species will migrating in, so bring your binoculars and cameras and come see the latest. Don't forget to purchase a vehicle permit if you don't already have one. (By the way, permits go up to peak season prices April 1.)

For those of you how still need your "Eagle Fix," however, there are web sites that have live time cameras (Eagle Cam) focused on real live bald eagle nests. The link to this web site is http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles. You can watch the excitement as this pair of bald eagles hatch these eggs and raise the young eaglets.

Other Boating Reminders

Now is a great time to get some quiet hours of Spring fishing in, but don't forget the fact that you still need your safety gear. It also gets cooler out on the water earlier in the evening, so don't forget a jacket. Still pack, plenty of water and juices to hydrate yourself. Enjoy!!

Youth Deer Hunt

On September 17th & 18th, the El Dorado State Park held it's annual Youth Deer Hunt. This hunt is an opportunity for area youth to be able to hunt deer in a controlled setting, inside the State Park area. Eight hunters were selected through application, having their names drawn out of a pool of other youth. The even yielded the harvesting of seven deer, which were all does (by request of the hunt). One boy passed on 3 bucks - he received a prize for putting his hunting ethics into motion. One hunter did not harvest a deer, but the missed shot was still worth the effort.

Park Office Hours - Winter (Off Season) Hours

The El Dorado State Park Office is open standard business hours, 8 - 4:30 Monday through Friday, for the off-peak (winter) hours. Boat registrations close at 4:00 p.m. Park permits are always available at the self pay stations near the entrances to the Parks; at the gate hosts; or the camp hosts in the Walnut River Campground.

Long Term Camping

Long term camping is available in the Eagle Pass (Walnut River Loop #3) Camping Loop in the Walnut River Area. As of April 1, the Frontier Camping Loop in the Walnut RIver Campground will be open for long term camping. Please see the camp host or the Park Office to make long term camping arrangements.

Off Peak Season Prices

Park permits are being sold at the off peak season rates throughout the state at this time. These rates will be effective through April 1, 2012 when the peak season rates go into effect.

Trout Fishing

This year's trout season is open. The rainbow trout are stocked in the Portion of the Walnut River that runs out of the River Pond (swim beach) area. The trout are stocked twice monthly - around the 15th and the end of the month. A trout permit is required for all anglers who are fishing for trout, except youth who are under 16 years of age, if they are adhering to a 2 trout per day limit. All anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must also have a Kansas fishing license. We hope you enjoy KDWP's efforts to offer another type of angling recreation.

Sea Wall

You may be wondering what is happening on the jetties just outside the Shady Creek Marina cove. A project funded by boating fund dollars is allowing us to add some concrete barrier blocks to the top of the jetties. The goal is to be able to stop the large waves from slamming into the Marina when the floods bring up the lake elevation and allow the water to top over the jetties. The new sea wall should stop the large waves from coming into the Marina cove, saving the Marina and boat owners the headaches they have experienced in the past.

Walnut River Trail

We have completed pouring the trail in the Eagle Pass Loop , the Frontier Loop, and the Big Oak Loop. You'll notice that we've connected the Trail with the sidewalk that traverses over the trout stream and into the Walnut Hollow Loop. We, once again, received trail grant money this year and we are in the process of constructing the trail in the Walnut Hollow (Area 4) day use area.

The trail was established several years ago as a walking trail, with a limestone screening surface. A trails grant was acquired recently, which allowed the funding of the concrete. The trail will be a 1.6 mile trail that will tie into the existing El Dorado City Linear Trail. Most of the work on the Walnut River Trail will be performed by the El Dorado State Park Ranger staff. The Trail will be a touring, scenic trail throughout the campground that will allow users a leisurely walk, ride, or jog along campsites and the outlet channel/river.

Boulder Bluff Horse Campground Update

You may not have heard that the Horse Campground in Boulder Bluff area 2 is ready for use. The interior sites have water and electric hookups; the corrals are finished; there has been a manure bunker and a wash bay added; and best of all, the large riding arena is complete. Bring out your horse and try it out.