Boating

-Photos by Jeff Saltman

Boater Education Course

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a Boater Education Course at the Lake Red Rock Visitor Center on Saturday, May 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is an excellent course to brush up on your boating knowledge, safety requirements and general rules of the road. The class is open to beginners as well as experienced boaters, and it fulfills the state’s boater education requirement for young boaters 12 up to 18 years old. The course fee is $5.00 for those seeking certification. Pre-registration is requred. For more information or to register, contact Tracy Spry at 641-828-7522 or 641-628-8690 or via email at [email protected].

No New Mandatory PFD Requirement

Based upon customer input/response on PFD wear, Colonel McGinley, Commander of the COE, Rock Island District, has concurred with REd Rock Manager Sherri Duey’s recommendation for no new mandatory PFD wear.  There will be no new mandatory PFD requirement at Lake Red Rock in 2012.

The Rock Island District of the Corps of Engineers is part of the Mississippi Valley Division.  Division leadership is very interested in water safety and will continue to evaluate water safety requirements at all Corp’s projects within the division.

New Features at Elk Rock Boat Ramp

Boaters:  New amenities await you at the Elk Rock boat ramp!  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently added a courtesy dock to the facility for easier launching and loading, and the agency will soon open the new primitive-style restroom at the site.  The new features are welcome improvements that lake users are sure to enjoy!

Boat Ramp at Elk RockNew restrooms at Elk Rock


Elk Rock Courtesy Dock Update

The Iowa DNR at Elk Rock State Park poured a final section on their new boat ramp recently in preparation for placing a courtesy dock at the site.  According to the DNR, the dock is going to be built sometime this winter, and the agency hopes to have it in place by next summer.

Red Rock Lake is Iowa’s largest lake with lots of opportunities for boaters of all stripes. Look for paddlers on everyfull moon to be paddling the lake, look below the dam if the lake is frozen. On breezy days enjoy watching the many sailboats travel the lake. Mornings and evening when the water is calm watch as a water skier comes into view and shows off her talents. Whatever your passion in boating you can do it at Red Rock Lake!

Boat Ramp Information

Map of Area


Think Water Safety During Summer Fun!

Boaters: When cruising on the lake, remember to be courteous and cautious around other boaters, swimmers and others on the water. A reckless boater or careless skier can turn a nice outing into a disaster! So keep a safe distance from others, follow Iowa’s boating regulations, don’t drink alcohol while boating, and always wear your life jacket! Have a great summer!

The Red Rock Lake Association and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation are partnering for a presentation on water trails at the Canoe Expo coming up. You can find out more about this by going to CanoeSports Outfitters website.

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