Lake Kachess Boat Launch: Ramps and Low Water
Kachess has a paved south ramp and a gravel north ramp, but Recreation.gov posted a low-water closure for August 1, 2026. Here is what to check before you tow.
On this page
Quick answer: Kachess Campground has two launches, a paved south ramp and a maintained-gravel north ramp, with day use posted at $11 per vehicle. In 2026 Recreation.gov posted that the launch would close on August 1 because of low water, and WDFW warns that no late-summer launch may be available when drawdown is excessive. We checked on November 7, 2026, and found no reopening notice. Verify before you tow.
Is the launch open? What we found on November 7, 2026#
- Recreation.gov alert: “Due to low water levels in the lake the boat launch will close on Saturday, 8/01/2026.” We did not find a later notice saying it reopened.
- Campground season: the Forest Service posts “Early June – Mid September.” On the date we checked, the campground was outside that season, though the page did not show a separate closure label.
- Reservoir level: Reclamation’s latest reading was 55,716 acre-feet and an elevation of 2,212.72 feet on November 6, 2026, marked preliminary. Against the 239,000 acre-feet capacity Reclamation lists, that is roughly 23%.
We found no source that links a specific elevation to a usable ramp, so do not treat those numbers as a launch guarantee. Nor did we find any source saying that construction of the proposed Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant caused the 2026 closures. Reclamation describes that plant as a potential project under study, separate from its dam-safety work.
The two ramps#
The Forest Service campground page says Kachess has two launches and parking for vehicles and trailers. The south ramp is paved, the north ramp is maintained gravel, and both can accommodate cartoppers and trailer boats. Recreation.gov instead lists one motorized and one non-motorized launch, so the two agencies classify them differently. We found no lane count, ramp slope or length.
The Forest Service also warns that summer weekend demand can fill the launch and day-use parking areas quickly. Go early or choose a weekday.
Fees#
Day use is $11 per vehicle per day. Recreation passes are not accepted for that fee, and the day-use facilities are operated by a concessionaire. If you plan to camp, see our Lake Kachess camping guide for site fees.
Why late summer is the risky window#
Kachess is a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir with a 239,000 acre-feet capacity, of which up to 222,000 acre-feet is available for use. It is operated for irrigation, flood control and fish flows. Reclamation’s documents say that:
- Irrigation releases from Kachess begin in mid-March.
- In September and October, diversions come primarily out of Kachess.
- High demand lowers its ability to refill, and Kachess does not fill every year even under normal runoff.
Another Reclamation document says the reservoir usually fills in winter and spring and is used for irrigation and fisheries enhancement in summer and fall. WDFW’s own lake page says that no late-summer boat launch is available when drawdown is excessive. Together, those facts explain the August 2026 closure and why a ramp that worked in June may not work in September.
Inspection and invasive species#
WDFW operates free mandatory watercraft inspection stations and says stopping is mandatory, with free decontamination if needed. Non-resident boats, seaplanes and commercial vessel transporters must buy an AIS prevention permit. WDFW also tells boaters to clean, drain and dry after every use, including drain plugs, bilges and live wells. We found no Kachess-specific station location, so check the WDFW boating page for the station nearest your route.
Rules and safety on the water#
- Speed: the East Kachess page says motorized vessels on Little Kachess Lake have a 10-mph speed limit.
- Life jackets: the Coast Guard says a recreational vessel must have one approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard, and federal law requires children under 13 to wear one while underway, subject to its exceptions.
- Cold water: the Forest Service identifies cold-water shock as a hazard for boaters and swimmers and recommends life jackets. See how to read cold-water risk and our lake boating safety guide.
Before you tow#
- Open the Recreation.gov listing and read the alerts, not just the amenities.
- Check the Forest Service page for the posted season.
- Look at the latest Reclamation Kachess reading, then confirm with a call or an onsite sign, because the number does not tell you the ramp status.
- Pack for a turnaround. If the ramp is closed, our guide to public lake access shows how to find another lawful launch.
- Read the Lake Kachess fishing guide if you are launching to fish.
Sources#
Checked on November 7, 2026: Forest Service Kachess Campground, Recreation.gov Kachess, WDFW Kachess Lake, Reclamation Kachess storage data, Reclamation fish passage study, Reclamation Kachess dam-safety Q&A, Reclamation KDRPP, WDFW boating rules, Coast Guard life jacket rules.
Frequently asked questions#
Is the Lake Kachess boat launch open?
Recreation.gov posted that the launch would close on Saturday, August 1, 2026 because of low water, and we found no notice that it reopened. When we checked on November 7, 2026, the campground was also outside its early June to mid-September season. Check the Recreation.gov alert and the Forest Service page before you tow.
How much does it cost to launch at Lake Kachess?
The Forest Service posts day use at $11 per vehicle per day. Recreation passes are not accepted for that day-use fee, and day-use facilities are run by a concessionaire, not by the Forest Service. Fees can change, so confirm on the Forest Service page.
Is the Kachess boat ramp paved?
The Forest Service says the south ramp is paved and the north ramp is maintained gravel, and that both can accommodate cartoppers and trailer boats. Recreation.gov lists one motorized and one non-motorized launch. We found no ramp length, slope or lane count for either.
Why does Lake Kachess get too low to launch?
Kachess is a Bureau of Reclamation storage reservoir for irrigation. Reclamation says it does not fill every year even in normal runoff, and that during September and October diversions come primarily out of Kachess. WDFW says no late-summer launch may be available when drawdown is excessive.
Do I need a boat inspection at Lake Kachess?
WDFW operates free, mandatory watercraft inspection stations and says stopping is mandatory, with free decontamination if needed. Non-resident boats, seaplanes and commercial vessel transporters must buy an AIS prevention permit. Clean, drain and dry your boat after every use. See our boat ramp checklist.
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