Boating

Boat Ramps | Youth Boating Program

Arkabutla Lake Brochure Map

Boats shouldn’t only be associated with fishermen, because the typical summer weekend includes a diversity of other recreation seekers on the lake.  Visitors from all around take pleasure in hours of fun on the open waters of the lake with their pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, and ski-boats.  However, nothing is more identifiable with the lake than sailing.  Arkabutla Lake’s winds are so consistently favorable that the Delta Sailing Association proclaims Arkabutla is the best sailing lake east of the Mississippi River. 

Sailing on Arkabutla Lake

Boaters on Arkabutla Lake

While you are enjoying your time on the lake please take notice of the wind warning lights, which are visible from most of the areas on the lake.  These devices are provided for your safety.  They are located on the top of the Dam, Hernando Point Boat Ramp, Pleasant Hill, and Kelley’s Crossing.  The purpose of the wind warning lights is to warn boaters of the existence of potentially hazardous lake conditions.  The lights begin flashing on the Wind Warning Device when wind speeds reach 18 knots.  Wind speeds of 18 knots and greater are when white capping occurs and boating conditions become extremely hazardous.    

Wind Warning Device at Hernando Point Boat Ramp

Wind Warning Device Illustration

There are eight boat launching ramps around Arkabutla Lake. 

Dub Patton Day-Use Area

Unable to launch at lake level of:   211.0

Hernando Point Day-Use Area

Unable to launch at lake level of:   215.0

Bayou Point

Unable to launch at lake level of:   209.0

Kelley’s Crossing

Unable to launch at lake level of:   211.0

Pleasant Hill

Unable to launch at lake level of:   215.0

Coldwater Point

Unable to launch at lake level of:   220.0

Highway 51 Landing

Unable to launch at lake level of:   218.0

Outlet Channel

Downstream access to Coldwater River

Click link to view Arkabutla Lake Rule Curve and Ramp Launching Information:  Ramp Elevations

* The cost of launching at any of these ramps is $3 with the exception of  Coldwater Point, which is a no charge boat launching ramp.

* Annual Passes for launching boats are available at any Corps of Engineers Lake Field Office.  The cost of an Annual Pass is $30. They are good for one year from date of  purchase and are accepted at any U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Project,  nationwide. 

Click link to view passes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can issue, sell, and accept. Recreation Fee Program & Age and Disability Discount Passes for Recreation Fees

* Located at the Bayou Point Boat Ramp, Hernando Point Boat Ramp, and Dub Patton Boat Ramp are life jackets that are available for public use through the Life Jacket Loaner Program.  There is no charge for using the life jackets.  However, we request visitors to please return life jackets when you are through having a safe and fun day on the lake.  Your honesty and  consideration will ensure these life jackets are available for others.  Sizes range from adult to infant.

Life Jacket Loaner Program

* Throughout the year the staff at Arkabutla Lake diligently promote water and boating safety at local schools, churches, and at our swimming beaches.  Learning the rules of water and boating safety is highly important to having a fun and safe day at Arkabutla Lake. 

Water Safety Program at Hernando Point Swimming Beach

Spirit of America: National Youth Boating Education Program

Arkabutla Lake is also involved with the “Spirit of America: National Youth Boating Education Program.”  For the past 13 years, this national program has grown and is used in cities throughout the United States. Since 2007, Arkabutla Lake is proud to be the first U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to offer this unique educational opportunity for area youth.

During the Spirit of America program, participants receive specialized instruction  including boating and water safety curriculum of at least 6 hours of hands-on training involving kayaks, canoes, sailboats, jon boats, and personal watercraft.  They were also educated about personal water safety techniques, including how to use proper safety equipment, basic rules of water safety, etc.  The program has also been designed to help strengthen participants’ self esteem, allow participation in teamwork efforts, and encourage participants to become better stewards of our Nation’s water resources while promoting boating and water safety. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Arkabutla Lake is taking preventative action in helping eliminate boating and water related accidents.  With this program, more youth can be educated and receive crucial hands-on experience about boating and water safety that will prepare them to become a generation of safe boaters. 

 

Buoys and Navigational Aids

There are buoys placed throughout the lake that are placed in specific location to notify boaters of regulations within the vicinity of the buoys. We use these buoys to advise boaters about areas where boats are prohibited and where creating wakes with your vessel is prohibited. Wakes are simply waves created by a vessel. The illustrations below are the buoys you will see on our lake.

“NO BOAT”  BUOYS	“NO WAKE” BUOYS
* Marked by the “diamond” symbol  * These buoys are located at the Intake Structure, swimming beaches, and Overflow Spillway	* Marked by the “circle” symbol * These buoys are located near the boat ramps at Hernando Point, Bayou  Point, Kelley’s Crossing, Pleasant Hill, Dub Patton, and at all swimming beaches

At Arkabutla Lake we want our visitors to be safe, have fun, and continue to come back to our lake!  For your safety our rangers vigilantly ensure our visiting boaters are in compliance of federal and state boating rules and regulations.  Similar to the seat belt law in vehicles, life jacket regulations in vessels are strictly enforced.