Union and Washington

Two lakes and too different

Boating is an everyday event in Seattle. For many residents, it is a way to get to work from nearby islands. For fishermen, it is a way to capture one of Washington's celebrated salmon or steelhead trout. For others, it's a way to spend a typical Seattle day: outdoors. And for everybody else, a boat is an everyday site along the city's waterfront or in the nearby freshwater lakes called Union and Washington.

Although lakes Union and Washington are just a few miles apart (separated by Portage and Union Bays), they are two very different bodies of water. Lake Union is considered an "urban lake" as a result of the ever-present restaurants, marinas and houseboats lining its shore. Lake Washington, less than three miles away by water and almost 37 times larger, is the opposite of its neighbor to the west: much of its shoreline is undisturbed and all of the credit goes to local and state jurisdictions for making this so.

The Big Lake
" Lake Washington is where you always see a lot of trailer boaters," observes Seattle Parks Boat Ramp Supervisor Dan Iverson. "but, while many will launch at one of the two Lake Union boat ramps, Lake Washington is by far the most popular of the two." The boat ramp used most often is on the western shore of the lake at Magnuson Park. There are four designated lanes for launching and retrieving (this will change depending on the time of day, for instance all four lanes may be used for retrieving in the afternoon when many boats are coming in). Just before the ramp is a place to secure tiedowns prior to taking the trailer back on the road. "We want folks to be ready to go by the time they reach the front of the launch, " says Iverson, "so this applies only to the folks who have just retrieved their boats. In general this means folks set up in the parking lot prior to getting in line or (most motor boaters) getting set up while they wait in line." While this section isn't policed all the time, a sign indicates trailer boaters have a five-minute limit when parked in the area.

The Magnuson ramp is about to undergo some renovations by the city Parks and Recreation Department. Boat trailers and tow vehicles currently move over concrete "planks" that are set just beneath the waterline and extend out to the end of the ramp. This design was put in place more than 20 years ago when the area was owned by the federal government (it was a naval base). Ramp designers have decided to replace the planks with solid single-piece concrete using the standard V-groove that currently exists on the ramp above the waterline. This project is underway right now.

Because the Magnuson Ramp is used by so many newcomers (a salmon run occurs at the end of June resulting in hundreds of fishermen with trailer boats coming to Lake Washington). An effort has been made to make it as user-friendly as possible. The end of each ramp underwater is clearly marked on the dock so as to prevent a boat trailer from being backed too far into the lake.

About a month after the salmon run, a national hydroplane race is held six miles south of Magnuson Park. This requires closing off the Sayres boat ramp to the public during the SeaFair event for the event which includes a two-mile course for the 25-foot boats that will reach speeds of 140 mph. For the rest of the year, though, the four-lanes of the Sayres boat ramp are open to trailer boaters in search of not only good fishing grounds, but a spectacular view of both Mt. Ranier and Mt. Baker.

Lake Union
The most-used ramp with immediate access to Lake Union is the Sunnyside ramp, located next to Gas Works Park. The park is the site of an old gasoline manufacturing plant (hence the name) and many of the industrial structures used in gas production now provide a unique setting. This ramp is most popular during the 4th of July weekend when trailer boaters have a front row seat for the fireworks over Lake Union.

This ramp was the scene of the Seattle Marina fire in January 2002 where more than a dozen boats, many of them classic wooden cabin cruisers, were destroyed. Today, the dock has been repaired and most of the damaged boats are already back in their slips.

Lake Union is always busy and every boaters needs to keep a lookout at traffic not just on the water, but in the air. A number of seaplane companies operate out of Lake Union taking passengers to the nearby San Juan Islands. In 1916, the first seaplane built by Bill Boeing (he later had an aircraft company named after him) took off from Lake Union.

Along the ship canal toward Puget Sound is the 14th Avenue NW boat ramp which is used primarily by trailer boaters intending to fish the canal and Lake Union. Still, many boaters use this ramp to go the opposite direction toward Puget Sound, passing through the Crittendon Locks. Visitors to the locks enjoy peering through the fish ladder windows to see the spawning steelhead passing by (now through the end of April) and the salmon moving out to the ocean (May through June). For the boater who is new to locking through, there are classes held every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month through September so everyone will know what to expect. The channel is eight miles long and was built in 1917 so that logs and coal from the interior areas of the state could be exported to the many places in need of these valuable supplies. The canal's opening made Seattle the second busiest port in the nation (New York City was #1) for a while.

User Fees
Boat ramps at both Lake Union and Lake Washington that are operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department have a $5 launch fee. Seasonal permits are available as well. 'One-third of those buying an annual permit don't reside in Seattle, " says Iverson. "And a lot of folks who frequent the Magnuson Ramp live in the northern suburbs. We don't charge extra for trailer boats registered out of state either. Everyone is welcome."

What isn't welcome, however, is anything related to aquatic nuisance species, which is a concern everywhere water touches land. While the Great Lakes continues to battle zebra mussels, Eurasion Milfoil has been found in Lake Union and Lake Washington's fresh water. Trailer boaters are urged to inspect their boats and trailers before and after a day on the water. Today, divers inspect the lake bottoms for signs this ANS is in the water. "It is usually found floating in the shallow areas," observes Iverson, "and so we really urge everyone to take an extra few minutes and inspect their hull and trailer."

Weather permitting, there's always the chance of a view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains every day of the year. But it is the surrounding lakes and Puget Sound which have always given this city its character and, most will agree, it's best view of all.

Boat Ramps

14th Avenue NW Boat Ramp
Waterbody: Salmon Bay
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
Nearest City: Seattle
2 Loading Float
2 Concrete Plank Ramp
10 Gravel parking spaces

Sunnyside Avenue North Boat Ramp
Waterbody: Lake Union
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
Nearest City: Seattle
1 Loading Float
2 Concrete Plank Ramp
5 Gravel parking spaces

Magnuson Park (Sand Point)
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
Nearest City: Seattle
4 Concrete Ramp
3 Loading Float
120 Paved and Striped Spaces

Kirkland Marina Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Kirkland City of
Nearest City: Kirkland
1 Loading Float
1 Concrete Plank Ramp

Day Street Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
1 Concrete Plank Ramp:
10 Paved Spaces, No Striping
Day Street Park is limited to car-top/ hand launching only. The park offers totally accessible components such as a fishing dock and short trail.

Sayres Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
Nearest City: Seattle
8 Asphalt Ramp
2 Loading Float
35 Paved and Striped parking spaces
Site is closed during Seafair weekend (end of July/beginning of August) because it is used for hydroplane races
Sayres Park also includes large lawn areas, paved waterfront trails, moorage floats, public phone, and a rowing and sailing center. No designated disabled parking. A fee is required to use the boat ramp and for overnight parking.

South Ferdinand Street Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
1 Gravel Ramp
20 Paved Spaces
Site Description:
This park is limited to car-top/ hand carry launching. No designated disabled parking.

Atlantic City Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Seattle Parks & Rec Dept
8 Concrete Ramp
3 Loading Float
20 Paved and Striped parking spaces
Atlantic City Park has large lawn areas, play equipment, picnic tables, and park benches. A fee is required to use the boat launch and for overnight parking.

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Waterbody: Lake Washington
Site Manager: Renton Parks Department
Nearest City: Renton
2 Loading Float
8 Concrete Plank Ramp
4 Paved and Striped parking spaces
Gene Coulon Beach Park also has boat moorage, swimming beach, large lawn areas, paved trails, covered pavilions, a canoe launch, tennis courts, flush restrooms, and picnic tables. Park benches and a public phone are located near the boat ramp area. Ivar's Seafood Restaurant is located near the park. A fee is required to use the boat launch (seasonal rates). A $10.00 fee is required to launch from Gene Coulon Beach Park during Seafair Weekend.

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