Fish River, Ala. – (OBA) –   The Bay Watch Boat Ramp in Baldwin County will close on May 5 for parking area improvements, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). The work should be finished by early August, weather permitting.

The ramp is next to the U.S. Highway 98 bridge at the mouth of the Fish River. During the renovation, both the boat ramp and surrounding site will be closed to the public.

Upgrades will include paving the parking lot and adding marked spaces for vehicles, boats, and trailers. Spaces for people with disabilities will also be added to meet ADA requirements.

Officials say these upgrades will improve visitor access to both the boat ramp and the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Resource Center.

Funding for the project comes from GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) money managed by ADCNR. The agency is also upgrading several other boat ramps in south Alabama.

Recently completed or ongoing projects include ramps at Mount Vernon, Chocolatta Bay, and Dauphin Island’s Billy Goat Hole. A new ramp is also planned for Cedar Point in Mobile County.

During the Bay Watch closure, the View Point Launch on the south end of Baldwin County Road 1 will stay open for access to Fish River, Mobile Bay, and Bon Secour Bay.

ADCNR works to protect Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: State Lands, State Parks, Marine Resources, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Boating information is available atwww.outdooralabama.com.