El Dorado State Park

Lake Level Below 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 1336.57 feet on Monday 06Feb12 Time: 1300 hours. At this elevation the total amount of water stored in El Dorado Lake is 140424 acre-feet. Reservoir release is 5 cubic feet per second on Monday 06Feb12 Time: 1300 hours.

Since the lake is nearly 2.5 feet below conservation pool, remember that Lake El Dorado is located on shoreline that is very flat topographically. This means that while the Lake may only be 2.5 feet low, there may now be 20 to 100 feet of shoreline exposed as a result of this. Tree stumps that are just under the surface of the water are becoming particularly hazardous. Of course, exposure of obstacles that would have not been a factor (especially for boating) with lake elevations at normal conservation pool, are also becoming hazardous. So, when boating, stay further away from points and tree areas than normal. Operate the boat at a slower speed when in questionable waters. Raise the lower unit when possible (under those conditions). Stay safe and be cautious!

2012 Park Permits

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 the Walnut River Camp Host (located in the Eagle Pass Loop) and the Boulder Bluff Gate Host. (Periodically, the Walnut River gate host is available in the gate to also sell permits - mostly on weekends.)

Permit prices (Off season rates, 1/1 - 3/31) are as follows: Ann. Vehicle - $ 19.70; Sr./Disabled Ann. Vehicle - $ 11.10; Daily Veh. - $3.70; Sr./Dis. Daily Veh. - $2.60; Ann. Camp - $152.50; 14 Day Camp - $87.50; Daily Camp - $7.50; 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).

Sign Up for Outdoor News!

Many Kansans are interested in the outdoors and the workings of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), but they don’t know how to keep up with the latest outdoor news. For those who would like to take advantage of Kansas outdoor opportunities and keep up to date on regulations regarding KDWPT, the agency has an easy solution — a free subscription to the KDWPT weekly email news package.

This KDWP service saves time when you don’t know where to find information you need or you forget to periodically check the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. Camping, fishing, hunting, wildlife education, state park, hunter education, wildlife management, conservation, proposed regulations, and much more information will be delivered to your email inbox automatically.

All you have to do is go online to www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. Click "KDWPT Info" in the upper left-hand corner of the page, then click "News." Enter your email address in the white box and hit the "Subscribe" button. You will then be sent a confirmation email. (Be sure to check "junk" or "spam" email boxes if it doesn't come to your inbox.) Follow the directions in this email, and you will receive a weekly package of stories containing the latest information concerning Kansas outdoors.

Make a New Year's resolution to reduce the amount of time you spend searching for updates on Kansas fish, wildlife, park, and conservation information. Sign up today for KDWPT email news. Share it with friends, and make sure your local newspaper is aware of this service.

The Eagles are Back!

They're back! The Bald Eagles have returned, with numerous sightings in the Walnut River River Pond and Campground areas. These magnificent birds migrate into the area each Winter, usually staying until late February or so. At this time, your best chance of viewing eagles would be in the morning (from sunup until late morning). The birds are very flighty, so it is suggested that you stay in your vehicle to view the birds. The best opportunity to view bald eagles at this time would be in the morning (from just after sunup until noon) in the Walnut River area near the river pond (swim beach) area. Bring your binoculars and look in the large trees that line the shoreline of the river pond and campgrounds. Don't forget to purchase a vehicle permit if you don't already have one. (By the way, the 2012 permits went on sale December 15th.)

Other Boating Reminders

Now is a great time to get some quiet hours of Fall 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. 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 March 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.