Salamatof Boat Launch to close to public Monday

Published 10:30 pm Friday, October 23, 2020

The Salamatof Boat Launch in Soldotna will close to the public for construction starting Monday, Oct. 26.

The launch, which is located at the end of N. Redoubt/Keystone Drive in Soldotna, is primarily used for sockeye salmon fishing and gets busy in the summertime, Kenai Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Ranger Matt Conner said Friday. Currently, the launch gets congested when multiple try to access the launch at once.

Improvements to the launch include evening out the gravel road, providing a space close to the river where vehicles can turn around after launching their boats and improving visibility. Parking capacity will also be expanded and cables holding together part of the boat ramp that are broken will be replaced.

The launch will remain free for public use after the improvements are made. Once the improvements have been completed, the refuge will announce its reopening for public use.