United Water hosts Juan Fernandez boat ramp dedication ceremony
United Water Conservation District hosted a ceremony to dedicate a new boat launching facility at the district's Lake Piru recreation area on September 9.
United Water Conservation District hosted a ceremony to dedicate a new boat launching facility at the district's Lake Piru recreation area on September 9. Sheldon Berger, president of the board of directors of United Water Conservation District, presided over the ceremony.The project was funded entirely by a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Steve Watanabe of DBW addressed the crowd, congratulating the district for a job well done. "Thank you for constructing this beautiful new boat ramp. New facilities like this are very rare in California," stated Watanabe. "This facility will provide greater recreational opportunities to boaters from all over southern California." He also added that, in all the years he has been managing grants, this project provided the greatest value for the dollars spent.Samantha Harrison, a representative of Assemblyman Tony Strickland, was on hand to present the district with a proclamation in celebration of the completion and opening of the ramp. "Congratulations on a beautiful job. On a personal note, I plan to come and try it out very soon," she stated.The new boat ramp, dubbed the Juan Fernandez Boat Launching Facility, will allow boaters to get their boats in and out of the lake more quickly during the busy summer months by augmenting the other two boat ramps already in service. The state of the art ramp was designed by district engineers and constructed to provide easier launching access and can operate year round at any lake elevation.
The Juan Fernandez boat ramp was named for the nearby historical site of Juan Fernandez Springs, and is located near the recreation area's existing swim beach. Available close by are new picnic shelters, new restroom facilities and a spacious new parking lot. "We at United Water are very proud of our beautiful lake, and although its primary function is water conservation, we are delighted to provide the public with this important recreational area. This project is a significant component of the district's master plan which will include additional major enhancements to the recreational facilities at Lake Piru," stated Mr. Berger.UWCD is a public water agency responsible for conserving and protecting groundwater resources in Ventura County.