Books List Blm, Corps Lakes Open For Recreation

Sun., July 23, 2000

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

A few U.S. government dam projects are in the news on a daily basis as the debate rages on regarding endangered salmon and steelhead.

But hundreds of other dams are even better known for the recreation that backs up behind them.

Two books help boaters and anglers sort the recreational opportunities at this amazing web of reservoirs.

“Bureau of Reclamation Lakes Guide,” gives directions for reaching 250 lakes and reservoirs in 17 Western states. Icons lists the basic services found at the waters, plus contact phone numbers.

State and county parks operate nearly 200 recreation areas on these projects. The lakes are familiar to boaters and anglers, with names such as Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt in Washington and Island Park Reservoir in Idaho.

The book is basic, but the price is right. Write to Roundabout Publications, Free Lakes Guide, P.O. Box 19235, Lenexa, KS 66285. The book is free, but send $3 for postage and handling. The offer ends in December.

“Lakeside Recreation,” by William C. Herow is a guide to 148 lakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This book covers waters such as Dworshak Reservoir in Idaho and Lake Rufus Woods in Washington. While it doesn’t have as much information as one might crave for these vast recreation areas, it goes into considerably more detail than the free BLM book.

Details for each recreation area include the number of campsites, the types of fish found in the waters and the types of recreation available on and around the water.

The book is available for $17.95 postage paid from Roundabout Publications, (800) 455-2207.

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