New log boom keeps boats away

A kayaker paddles near the boat launch at Steamboat Rock State Park Saturday toward a new log boom installed this spring to keep boats and beach users away from the eroding bank. The park now has a fence going up the hill and warnings to stay out of the area. The boom was installed at a cost of $734,000 as part of a bank stabilization project, which will be completed as funds are allocated. The Bureau of Reclamation is funding the work. It received $380,000 to plan, survey, and complete engineering designs for the work, a bureau spokesperson told The Star. - Scott Hunter photo