Sakakawea Shoreline Access Policy

Corps shoreline access policy for licensed motorized vehicles
Riverdale, N.D. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Garrison Project Office, announces a new policy to allow street legal, licensed motorized vehicles at designated locations on Lake Sakakawea this spring. 

The 2005 policy allows vehicle access where existing public roads leading to boat ramps are no longer usable due to low lake levels. This policy balances access by allowing driving in those locations where the public cannot launch a boat, but would like to reach the waters edge for compatible day-use activities. 

The Corps, in collaboration with state, federal and Tribal partners developed the policy over the last year. “We’ve put our best foot forward and constructed this policy with the interests of all stakeholders in mind,” says Lake Manager Phil Brown. “Issues such as the prolonged Missouri River drought, preservation of cultural resources, threatened and endangered species and the need to provide recreational opportunities for visitors all contributed to the final policy.” 

Walking or foot travel along the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea is not restricted. However, regulations do restrict operating motorized vehicles off of designated roadways. “We want to emphasize that the entire shoreline is still open to the public via walk-in access,” says Operations Project Manager Todd Lindquist. “The policy restrictions we have developed are geared primarily towards vehicular traffic.” 

Shoreline access points are: Government Bay, Spring Creek Cabin Site near Douglas Creek, Good Bear Bay at Indian Hills, Deepwater Bay (low water ramp), Pouch Point, New Town Marina/Sanish Bay, White Earth, Little Beaver, Four Bears, Skunk Creek, Beaver Creek, Pebble Beach at Beulah Bay, Reunion Bay and Dead-Mans Point, west of Wolf Creek Campground. 

The policy also prohibits shoreline camping or operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) outside designated areas. The Corps has designated the Roughrider area located south of Riverdale for ATV use. The exception to the ATV prohibition is for those individuals that would require a special-use permit to accommodate a physical disability, or for the need to access a permitted structure such as a private boat dock. Contact the Garrison Project Office at 701-645-7411 for more details on special-use permit requirements. 

“Our goal is to implement a policy that accommodates shoreline anglers or day-use visitors,” says Brown. “Developing this policy is our attempt to accommodate the non-boating visitors who are hindered by the distance of lake bed to cross.” 

“We continue to balance the multiple needs of the Missouri River as mandated by law,” says Commander Col. Jeffrey Bedey. “By coordinating with various entities up and down the river, we can help minimize the impacts of what continues to be a dry season.” 

The Corps will continue to update the public of its activities to offset the impacts of the expected drought conditions. 

Here's a little more information regarding the policy:
327.2 Vehicles.
(a) This section pertains to all vehicles, including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, mini-bikes, snowmobiles, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles, and trailers, campers, bicycles, or any other such equipment.
(b) Vehicles shall not be parked in violation of posted restrictions and regulations, or in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property or environmental feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to removal and impoundment at the owner's expense.
(c) The operation and/or parking of a vehicle off authorized roadways is prohibited except at locations and times designated by the District Commander. Taking any vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier is prohibited.
(d) Vehicles shall be operated in accordance with posted restrictions and regulations.
(e) No person shall operate any vehicle in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger any person, property or environmental feature.
(f) At designated recreation areas, vehicles shall be used only to enter or leave the area or individual sites or facilities unless otherwise posted.
(g) Except as authorized by the District Commander, no person shall operate any motorized vehicle without a proper and effective exhaust muffler as defined by state and local laws, or with an exhaust muffler cutout open, or in any other manner which renders the exhaust muffler ineffective in muffling the sound of engine exhaust.
(h) Vehicles shall be operated in accordance with applicable Federal, state and local laws, which shall be regulated by authorized enforcement officials as prescribed in Sec. 327.26. 

For More Information Call:
Garrison Project Office (701) 654-7691
Oahe Project Office (605) 224-5945
Big Bend Project Office (605) 245-2555
Fort Randall Project Office (605) 487-7540
Gavins Point Project Office (402) 667-2537
Missouri River Project Office (402) 453-7555