With phase two renovations completed, the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has recently reopened the Leesburg public boat landing on Weiss Lake. The facility is located adjacent to the Weiss Lake canal and can be accessed free of charge through Leesburg Park at the end of Riverside Street in Leesburg, Ala.
Phase one of the renovation began in 2016 and included the construction of a dirt parking lot large enough for 262 truck and trailer rigs.
Phase two began in 2017 and included the construction of a four-lane concrete launching slab, a paved parking lot for 113 truck and trailer rigs, a paved overflow lot for an additional 150 truck and trailer rigs (with both make-ready and tie-down areas) and two 50-foot floating access piers. The new facility is currently large enough to accommodate most local and regional fishing tournaments and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010.
Phase three of the project will begin in 2020 and include the construction of a 412-foot wharf-style pier with 18 finger piers that will accommodate up to 36 vessels.
WFF has leased the property from Alabama Power for approximately 40 years to provide boating access to the public. In that time, demand for additional access to Weiss Lake has continued to grow. To provide that increased access, WFF partnered with Town of Leesburg to renovate and expand the boat landing. The Town of Leesburg will handle routine maintenance of the facility.
The project was funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is supported through excise taxes on the sale of outboard motor fuel, fishing equipment and the sale of state fishing licenses. For more information about this and other WFF public boating access areas, visit http://boatramps.dcnr.alabama.gov/ or call the WFF Fisheries Section at 334-242-3471.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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