Charlotte, NC—Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation announces that its four boat ramps on Lake Wylie have reopened for the first time since August 2007.  These ramps are located on McDowell Nature Preserve's Copperhead Island 15200 Soldier Road Charlotte, NC 28278.

The ramps were closed when the Lake Wylie water levels fell below 94.0 feet during the recent drought.  The official recorded lake level on LakeWylie March 6 was 96.8 feet, or 3.2 feet below full pond.  Park and Recreation officials say the ramps should be able to launch any reasonable size, trailered boat, just as they did before the drought.

The General Manager of McDowell Nature Preserve, Michael Campbell, confirms that the ramps are now launching boats. Campbell can be reached for comment/interviews at 980-722-2083.