Loon Lake Reservation Starting Date Postponed, Nov. 25

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. That is the problem plaguing the Bureau of Land Management’s water system at the Loon Lake Recreation Area, as the wells supplying the campground with potable water went all but dry during the summer of 2013. While the agency searches for a solution to the problem, the date visitors can start reserving Loon Lake campsites for the 2014 summer season has been moved to February 16, 2014. Campers can typically start making reservations in mid-November.  The Loon Lake Campground closed early this past summer when the two wells at Loon Lake could no longer produce potable water. The lack of water was blamed on a dry spring season.  Now, park managers are looking at options to reopen the campground for next summer.  “We’re considering everything from rehabbing one of the current wells to see if it will produce more water to drilling a new well to putting in vault toilets. We want to wait to take reservations until we have a clearer plan for next summer,” said Todd Buchholz, Umpqua Field Manager.  Those interested in camping at Loon Lake can look for updates online at www.blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay or www.recreation.gov. Visitors can also call BLM’s Coos Bay District Office at 541-756-0100.