The lake, which at times has looked like a puddle, is full of water, has had park upgrades and might have a spot for a concessionaire

As summer approaches, Emigrant Lake is 1 foot away from being completely full — for the first time in eight years, said Steve Lambert, roads and parks director for Jackson County. 

In recent years, visitors to the lake experienced expanses of brown silt separating boat ramps and picnic tables from a small puddle in the distance. Such a view becomes depressing, Lambert said. This year visitors will find a broad sparkling expanse of water, usable boat ramps, various upgrades to the park and, potentially, a concession stand.

Park upgrades added

Jackson County Parks took advantage of the dip in visitors to install upgrades such as Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms and granite tent pads in the campground, Lambert said. He said the county replaced stairs and sidewalks throughout the park and remodeled the concessions area where waterslides used to be. 

Lambert said no one answered a request for proposals seeking a vendor to sell food and drinks and hopefully rent paddle boards and kayaks in the concessions area. But he said initial discussions were ongoing with Southern Oregon University. The county hopes someone from its School of Business will appreciate the opportunity, Lambert said. 

“I am very excited about this, as it meets our customer’s needs, while also providing a business incubator opportunity for SOU students to get hands-on learning,” he said. 

A multipurpose reservoir

The lake was originally created with the primary purposes of irrigation and flood control. Recreation is the third and last priority, Lambert said. This year the water levels appear high enough for Emigrant Lake to meet all three priorities. 

“It will be a busy summer, hopefully” he said. 

Lambert urged visitors to consider arriving earlier in the day on the weekends and to plan camping trips in advance. 

Campsites can be booked up to nine months in advance online or over the phone, according to the Jackson County Parks website. Arrivals without a reservation are considered first come, first serve, the website says. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news. This story first appeared at Ashland.news.