by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
 
A rainy summer that was capped off by the torrential rainfall of Hurricane Ian has led to swollen water levels at the Johns Lake Boat Ramp located on Lake Avenue, near the Lake and Orange County line on SR-50. The ramp is a popular site for the launching of recreational fishing boats and casual boating enthusiasts, as well.
 
A spokesperson with the Lake County Department of Parks and Trails confirmed that the ramp will be closed until water levels recede enough for safe inspection of both the ramp and the floating pedestrian dock that appears to have sustained damage during Hurricane Ian. There are no current plans to physically lower the lake levels with the use of water-pumping devices.
The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture reports a Year-to-Date rainfall total for the Central Florida area as 32.14 inches prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ian. An additional 10 inches of rainfall produced by Hurricane Ian has been estimated for the area but not officially recorded at this time.
Additional boat ramps in the area that are open and in full service are:
 

City of Clermont Boat Ramp
140 East Avenue, Clermont

Palatlakaha Park & Ramp
12325 Hull Road, Clermont
 
Astatula Boat Ramp
12703 Florida Ave., Astatula
 
Arnold Brothers Boat Ramp
15945 State Road 19, Groveland
 
Learn more about Lake County Lakes by visiting, Lake County Water Resources