The boat ramp at Navajo State Park has been closed and will open again sometime in the spring.

The ramp was closed to accommodate construction and maintenance which will greatly improve the structure, said Doug Secrist, Navajo State Park manager.

Besides the boat ramp, other projects are in progress at Navajo to improve the park. The dry-storage area for watercraft is being expanded. When construction is finished it will nearly double the capacity for storing boats. New aquatic nuisance inspection and decontamination stations are being built that will make inspecting boats easier and faster. The last major project is repairing the park's sewage system, which is nearly 50 years old.

All the projects are scheduled to be completed by the summer.

"When park visitors return next summer they will be very pleased with all the improvements we're making to the park," Secrist said.

Campsites are open at the park through the winter, and one of three cabins is available for rent. The cabin can accommodate six people.

Navajo also offers unique wildlife watching at this time of year. During the winter the park and surrounding area draws bald eagles to the San Juan and Piedra rivers, local wetlands and the reservoir shore line. Deer and elk also use the surrounding area as winter range.

"This is a great time for wildlife viewing at Navajo," Secrist said.

Navajo State Park is located in western Archuleta County in southwest Colorado. For more information, call the park at 883-2208.

For more news about Colorado Parks and Wildlife go to: http://cpw.state.co.us