The ramp and slips at Willard Bay are closed. And the launch ramp at Deer Creek State Park is closed. Huntington State Park has been closed all season to repair an old dam.

Any suggestion that other major boating waters in Utah are in jeopardy of closing anytime soon is not true. Despite dry conditions and a lean snow year, Utah's reservoirs are holding plenty of water for recreationists.

And, said Dave Harris, boating program coordinator for the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, "I have not heard of any of the other waters having low water problems at this time."

While Utah did have a poor snowfall this past winter, the two previous winters had near-record snowfall.

At Willard Bay, both the north and south marinas are closed because of low water conditions, a result of scheduled repairs on the dam. It was kept at 45 percent of capacity all spring and then lowered even more to accommodate work.

There is approximately 2.5 feet of water at the base of the launch ramps, and one to three feet in other parts of the marinas. The average depth in the reservoir is nine feet throughout, reported Christopher Bradshaw, assistant park manager.

Before summer's over, the level will drop even more. Typically, Willard Bay Reservoir loses two feet of water to evaporation during the hotter months.

Boaters can launch but must do so at their own risk. Those who do launch are warned to look out for hazards.

Camping and day-use facilities at Willard are available, and park fees remain in effect.

Boat docks and slips are unusable due to the low water.

Deer Creek is another matter.

Park manager Rick Redmon said demand for water along the Wasatch Front is causing levels to drop at the reservoir, which has put the water level below the end of the state ramp.

The ramp at Deer Creek Island Resort is open and boats can launch.

Ramps at the remaining state-managed parks are open, and Davis said he does not expect boaters to have problems launching through the Labor Day weekend. Ramps at Utah's major boating waters, like Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge and Strawberry Reservoir, are not threatened.

With respect to boating this summer, Harris issued the usual warnings about life vests, the proximity law and carbon monoxide.

He also urged boaters to practice defensive boating.

Nationally, operator fault has been determined to be the cause in more than 75 percent of all boating accidents. Common causes include excessive speed, failure to maintain proper lookout, carelessness and inexperience.

About 33 percent of boating citations involve improper boat handling. One of the most common violations is Utah involves the proximity law, which is that it is unlawful to pass within 150 feet of a person or boat at anything faster than wakeless speed.