Mukilteo boat launch down to 1 dock

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MUKILTEO — Boaters at the busy Mukilteo boat launch likely will have to make do with just one dock this year.

One of the two floating docks needs to be replaced, but that probably won’t happen in time for boating season, said Jim Niggemyer, assistant city engineer.

The south dock has deteriorated beyond repair. The north dock was replaced in 2006 and should be good for at least five more years, Niggemyer said.

The docks usually last about 10 years.

The Mukilteo boat launch is used about 3,500 times each year, Niggemyer said. Lots of boaters are expected to flock here this season because of the humpies run, which typically happens every other year starting mid-August.

“We hoped to get the dock out this season, but it looks unlikely,” Niggemyer said. “During that period, we expect a little longer wait at the boat launch.”

The city budgeted $150,000 to replace the dock this year. Staff also has applied for a $175,000 grant from the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office.

If the grant is awarded, the city will be required to pave part of the parking lot at the boat launch in addition to installing a new dock. The pavement in that area is in poor condition, Niggemyer said,

If the city gets the grant, it will be responsible for $75,000. If not, it will just replace the decayed dock as planned.

Mukilteo’s project was ranked third out of 19 applicants. The grants will be awarded if there’s money in the state budget, which hasn’t been finalized.

The docks are put in the water around May and taken out around the end of September.

The north dock was put in the water at the end of April, and the city sold the decrepit south dock for $3,200 for private use. That dock can be used in calmer conditions, Niggemyer said.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.