Boaters in Magic Valley can once again launch from Centennial Waterfront Park after Twin Falls County completed emergency repairs on the motorized ramp. As first reported by magicvalley.com, the temporary fix restores access following a closure that began in late July due to structural concerns.
The ramp was shut down on July 31, 2026, after officials discovered a crack in the lower section and a void beneath the concrete surface. The damage made it difficult for users to pull trailers out of the water. County engineers attributed the gap to years of improper backwash from boat engines eroding the underlying soil.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, an excavator leveled gravel at the site to create a stable, temporary launch surface. Large rocks and other materials were used to fill the void under the ramp’s lower end. While this solution allows for immediate use, it is not a permanent fix.
Boaters are asked to exercise caution while using the repaired ramp. Officials recommend idling in and out of the launch area and using a winch to load boats onto trailers to minimize stress on the temporary structure.
Commissioner Brent Reink noted that reopening the ramp was a priority for public access. “We need to let the public get access to the water,” Reink told the Times-News, as first reported by magicvalley.com.
The timing of the repair coincides with increased demand for local launch sites. The boat ramps at Twin Falls Dam and Shoshone Falls remain closed due to quagga mussel treatment efforts, funneling more traffic toward Centennial Park. Reink mentioned that few residents had complained about the initial closure, but the lack of alternatives has heightened interest in getting the ramp operational.
The structural issues were discovered after Pillar Power Products, a private hydroelectric firm, received county approval to haul heavy equipment to its nearby site. The county subsequently terminated its contract with the company. Pillar Power Products owners maintain they did not cause the damage to the ramp.
Twin Falls County is now working with an engineering firm to develop plans for a permanent repair. No timeline or cost estimate has been finalized for the long-term solution.
“It could be a few months, or perhaps a year,” Reink told the Times-News regarding the duration of the permanent project.
The reopening also allows visitors to view the Huckleberry America flag on The Patriot, part of the Magic Valley 2026 Memorial, without needing to travel to other launch points.