Cashmere funds boat ramp repairs as rafting season approaches

CASHMERE — With rafting season approaching and river conditions already running higher than usual for this time of year, the Cashmere City Council on Feb. 23 approved $10,000 in lodging-tax funding to help restore access at the city’s Wenatchee River boat ramp, where heavy gravel deposits made during the December storms have made launches difficult or impossible in most flows.

Director of Operations Steve Croci told the council that roughly 800 cubic yards of material has built up at the site, cutting off the side channel that normally allows boats to reach the main river. The proposed work would reopen that channel during the late-winter low-water window, improving conditions for both commercial rafting operations and fish habitat.

“Ideally we get it done before the rafter season,” Croci said.

Chelan County has already committed lodging-tax funding to the project and is handling the environmental permitting, which Croci described as the most time-consuming and costly portion of in-river work. The city’s contribution is intended to help assemble enough funding to move the project into construction if bids come in favorably.

“Permitting for in-river stuff is expensive and it’s time-consuming,” he said.

Croci said the city also plans to approach the Port District for additional support, though that request has not yet been made. If successful, the combined funding would cover the first phase of the effort, focused on reconnecting the side channel; a later phase could include rebuilding and armoring the ramp itself to better withstand future gravel movement.

While the ramp is not on city-owned property, Croci said Cashmere sees a direct benefit from the rafting traffic that uses it.

“It’s not really our property, but we derive a lot of the benefits,” he said.

The project is being framed not only as a recreation access improvement but also as a habitat enhancement. Reconnecting the side channel would restore an area of slower, warmer water that is considered favorable for fish.

“Side channel habitat’s pretty good for fish,” Croci said. “It’s not just a ‘let’s help the rafters’ program.”

The timing is driven by river conditions. Croci said the work must occur during a narrow low-flow period before spring runoff and summer recreation traffic make construction impractical.

The city is assembling its economic case for outside funding by drawing on its recent observation of regional grant requests that require proof a project brings new dollars into Chelan and Douglas counties. Croci said he expects local rafting companies could provide data showing that many customers come from outside the two-county area, an approach intended to demonstrate the ramp’s role in attracting tourism revenue that would not otherwise be spent locally.

Councilmember Chris Carlson, who has experience with similar river and permitting issues, asked about cost estimates and contingencies if additional funding does not materialize. Croci said bids have been competitive and the county and city contributions may be sufficient for the initial phase, but the scope could be adjusted if needed.

The motion to approve the $10,000 contribution passed unanimously.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media