CLERMONT, Fla. – One of Central Florida’s longest droughts in decades is creating problems at the Clermont City Boat Ramp, where falling lake levels forced crews to close part of the ramp Thursday and boaters say conditions are becoming more difficult and dangerous.
People who use the ramp said the water normally reaches the point where the metal ramp meets the dock. This week, the shoreline had pulled back several feet, exposing areas that are usually underwater.
City crews closed the right side of the boat ramp after low water levels exposed a protective material on the ramp that had to be cut and removed.
Boaters Jason and Erica Bailey watched the work unfold and said the drought is changing more than the view.
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“Once the levels go down, you can have obstructions in the water,” Jason said. “Some things could potentially be dangerous, especially around the bridges and seawall areas.”
The couple said they have seen severe drought conditions before, including in the early 2000s, when water levels dropped significantly and people could walk far beyond the beach area near the swimming pylons.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Central Florida is experiencing its longest drought since that period.
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The effects are also visible at the swimming area of Waterfront Park, where land that is normally underwater is now dry. Boaters said they expect conditions to get worse unless the region gets steady rainfall.
“When you look around the lake, you can see some of the boats on lifts,” Jason said. “They probably won’t see the water again until next season.”
City officials said Clermont is under a Phase 3 water shortage declaration issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Residents are being asked to conserve water while the area waits for more consistent rain.