Russell Lands donated property for parking lot expansion.
Phase one of a nearly $1.8 million renovation to the Kowaliga Public Boat Ramp on Lake Martin has been completed. The boat ramp is located just off State Route 63, approximately 11 miles south of Wind Creek State Park.
Photo courtesy of Russell Lands
Phase one of the project included:
• Addition of a new launching slab
• Parking area expansion to 86 truck/trailer spots and seven car-only spots
• New turn lanes on State Route 63 that improve traffic flow in and out of the facility.
Phase two will take place during 2026 and includes:
• A new large access pier for the new launching slab
• Other potential site improvements.
When the project is complete, the facility will be fully Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessible.
“Improving access to boating and fishing has been a priority for us in recent years,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “Lake Martin is one of our state’s greatest resources, and we are excited to announce the completion of these renovations. The Kowaliga Public Boat Ramp was already an important access spot on the lake. These upgrades will improve the experience for boaters and anglers who visit Lake Martin and for the local community by easing traffic congestion near the ramp during busy times on the lake.”
The Kowaliga Public Boat Ramp improvement project was completed through a partnership between ADCNR, the Elmore County Commission, Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA), and Russell Lands.
Ramp location. Google Maps
Funding for the project was provided through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is supported through excise taxes on the sale of outboard motor fuel, fishing equipment, and the sale of Alabama fishing licenses, and Innovate Alabama, a statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, with a mission to help businesses grow roots in Alabama. Additionally, the Elmore County Commission provided $500,000 for the project, and Russell Lands donated the property for the parking lot expansion.
Brad Davis, who represents the Lake Martin area on the Elmore County Commission, said the land donation from Russell Lands was crucial in pushing the project forward.
Vice President and General Counsel for Russell Lands, Steve Forehand, said providing safer access to the facility was a motivating factor for their land donation to the project.
“Russell Lands is proud to have been a partner in this much-needed project to improve access to Lake Martin,” Forehand said. “Our interest actually started with a comment from Ben Russell when we rode by the ramp on a busy holiday weekend and saw trucks and trailers lined up on Highway 63. He said we should donate some land to expand the ramp so people could have safer access. We are grateful to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Elmore County Commission for their participation in turning this idea into a reality.”
The Kowaliga Public Boat Ramp is free to use and is open to the public 7 days a week, year-round. For more information about this and other public boating and fishing access areas provided by ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com/freshwater-boating-access or call the Fisheries Section of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division at (334) 242-3471.
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