North end of Jamestown Reservoir opens to watercraft on Wednesday

As of Wednesday, county, state and federal officials have opened the north end of Jamestown Reservoir to watercraft, the Army Corps of Engineers said.

Access to the north end of the reservoir will be by a temporary portable boat ramp on the east side of the reservoir at the Jim River Bay area, which is the site of the previous Jim River Boat Club. The site is located immediately north of the Jamestown Reservoir east-side cabin area. The temporary ramp is being installed by the Stutsman County Park Board and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Buoys will be installed east to west across the reservoir to designate open and closed areas.

Visitors should note there continue to be significant safety concerns associated with the extremely high water in both reservoirs, the corps said. Boat ramps and parking areas are under water, saturated ground conditions make access difficult, and debris and underwater obstructions pose safety hazards.

“It will be at least another two weeks before the watercraft restrictions are re-moved on Pipestem Reservoir and on the south end of Jamestown,” said Dennis Lorenz, Stutsman County park superintendent. “The boat ramps and parking areas are still under water.”

Lorenz said the watercraft restrictions apply to all cabin areas along Jamestown Reservoir.

“Both reservoirs are open to shoreline fishing,” he added.

Jamestown Dam is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Pipestem Dam is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Recreation management at both reservoirs is conducted by the Stutsman County Park Board under contractual agreements with both agencies.

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