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High water closes some boat ramps and beaches at Saylorville Lake

High water closes some boat ramps and beaches at Saylorville Lake
breaks in the air conditioning along with a lot of water and electrolytes. Some central Iowans are getting relief from the heat in the cool water of Saylorville Lake. But high water levels are causing problems with some beach and boat ramp closures. vlog Senior Reporter Todd Magel surveyed the lake today. A fast Jet ski on a cool lake is a perfect antidote for blistering hot summer day. With the hot sun bearing down, it feels like 100 degrees at Saylorville Lake. <I don't mind warm weather, but this is a little bit too hot. > Todd Robinson was one of several jet skiers heading out to the Lakeview Boat ramp near the Saylorville dam. It's open. But high water has closed The Cherry Glen Lower boat ramp and the oak grove beach. <The Army corps of engineers is also warning boaters about debris in the water. It's hard to see in the water, but really easy to see on the boat ramp> < you have to be careful. The water's dark. You can't usually just see it unless it is something big. Sticking out. > Managers say the lake pool has been rising thanks to repeated, heavy thunder storms north of Des Moines. That's why the outflow is roaring out of the dam at full speed into the Des Moines river below. But boaters here are not worried about flooding. Their goal is to stay cool and have fun. < You can get yourself wet if you get get going around in a circle and get caught by a wave and splash some water up on. Yes, that feels pretty good too when it's nearly a hundred degrees. Yeah, it's only hundred whatever degrees. But it's nice out there. It feels like 60 or 70. It's really nice. > The army corps says it me be more than week before they can reopen boat ramps and beaches...It all depends on the weather.
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Updated: 9:24 PM CDT Jul 28, 2025
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High water closes some boat ramps and beaches at Saylorville Lake
vlog logo
Updated: 9:24 PM CDT Jul 28, 2025
Editorial Standards
Central Iowans are finding relief from the heat at Saylorville Lake, although high water levels have led to the closure of some beaches and boat ramps."I don't mind warm weather, but this is a little bit too hot," said Todd Robinson, one of several jet skiers heading to the Lakeview Boat Ramp near the Saylorville Dam. While that ramp remains open, high water has closed the Cherry Glen Lower Boat Ramp and Oak Grove Beach.The Army Corps of Engineers is warning boaters about debris in the water, which is difficult to see but easy to spot on the boat ramp. "You have to be careful. The water's dark. You can't usually just see it unless it is something big, sticking out," said Colton Sigler, of Des Moines.Managers report that the lake pool has been rising due to repeated heavy thunderstorms north of Des Moines. The outflow is roaring out of the dam at full speed into the Des Moines River below, but boaters are not worried about flooding. Their main goal is to stay cool and have fun."You can get yourself wet if you get going around in a circle and get caught by a wave and splash some water up on. Yes, that feels pretty good too when it's nearly a hundred degrees. Yeah, it's only hundred whatever degrees. But it's nice out there. It feels like 60 or 70. It's really nice," said Dave Hamilton, of West Des Moines.The Army Corps says it may be more than a week before they can reopen boat ramps and beaches, depending on the weather.

Central Iowans are finding relief from the heat at Saylorville Lake, although high water levels have led to the closure of some beaches and boat ramps.

"I don't mind warm weather, but this is a little bit too hot," said Todd Robinson, one of several jet skiers heading to the Lakeview Boat Ramp near the Saylorville Dam. While that ramp remains open, high water has closed the Cherry Glen Lower Boat Ramp and Oak Grove Beach.

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The Army Corps of Engineers is warning boaters about debris in the water, which is difficult to see but easy to spot on the boat ramp.

"You have to be careful. The water's dark. You can't usually just see it unless it is something big, sticking out," said Colton Sigler, of Des Moines.

Managers report that the lake pool has been rising due to repeated heavy thunderstorms north of Des Moines. The outflow is roaring out of the dam at full speed into the Des Moines River below, but boaters are not worried about flooding. Their main goal is to stay cool and have fun.

"You can get yourself wet if you get going around in a circle and get caught by a wave and splash some water up on. Yes, that feels pretty good too when it's nearly a hundred degrees. Yeah, it's only hundred whatever degrees. But it's nice out there. It feels like 60 or 70. It's really nice," said Dave Hamilton, of West Des Moines.

The Army Corps says it may be more than a week before they can reopen boat ramps and beaches, depending on the weather.