Army Corps of Engineers to open boat launch facilities at all of its local lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento Division will open all boat launch and most day-use facilities at its lakes on Friday ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

That means boaters will have full access to Pine Flat in Fresno County, Eastman and Hensley in Madera County and Kaweah and Success in Tulare County.

The announcement late Thursday afternoon came two days after the Corps OK’d opening privately-operated facilities at Pine Flat, Kaweah and Success plus Englebright Lake northeast of Sacramento.

The other areas operated by the Corps in its Sacramento Division are New Hogan Lake in Calaveras County, Black Butte Lake northwest of Sacramento, Martis Creek Lake in Placer County and the Stanislaus River Parks.

The recreation areas have been closed since March 26 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The campgrounds, group shelters and playgrounds at all of the facilities will remain closed.

Access to the lakes could be restricted again if visitors do not adhere to social distancing guidelines or officials observe an unsafe number of large gatherings, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman.