Hells Gate State Park, Idaho, said that their boat launch, marina, and marina operations will be temporarily closed from 5 p.m. Sunday, September 13 to 5 p.m. Friday, September 18 to allow for dredging at the marina entrance.
"Beginning Monday, September 14th , there will be no incoming or outgoing boat traffic from the Hells Gate State Park marina. This includes ingress and egress at the associated boat launch and access to the gasoline and sewer pump-out stations located in the marina enclosure. This closure is necessary for planned dredging to take place at the entrance to the marina," the State Park said.
Over time, sediment such as sand and silt accumulates in marinas reducing the water depth and creating navigability challenges. This build-up is a natural process that impacts the marina entrance as well as the basin of the marina.
Currently, the entrance to the marina at Hells Gate is impacted by silt to the extent that there is only a two foot draft for vessels entering and exiting the marina.
Dredging is anticipated to remove up to 6 feet of buildup, with the goal of restoring the marina entrance to an 8 ft depth, the State Park concluded.