A Master Plan describes how we manage lands surrounding Lucky Peak Lake under our care. It describes:

• The unique and important factors for this Project that influence management
• The natural resources on these lands (e.g., soils, vegetation, endangered species)
• The cultural resources on these lands (e.g., sites of historical and/or cultural significance)
• The recreational resources on these lands (e.g., the unique recreational opportunities, factors which influence recreation)

Once the resources are identified and described, the Master Plan describes our goals as we manage these resources for the next 20 years or so. Based on those resource objectives, the current use of the land, existing regulations, and public input, each parcel of land is assigned a land use classification.

This land classification is the meat of the Master Plan. The land classification determines the main use of each parcel of land (e.g., recreation, wildlife management). The Master Plan describes each land management unit by name and identifies any unique characteristics or resource concerns for that area. Restricted areas and no-wake zones on the surface water of Lucky Peak Lake are also identified.

The Lucky Peak Master Plan does not:

• Deal with details of design or administration of the lands – the Master Plan is a high-level, conceptual document.
• Address dam operations like spill, fish passage, or dam breaching.
• Discuss navigation or flood risk management.
• Make large-scale changes to how lands are currently managed; there are restrictions and regulations that guide the management of public lands by USACE. However, because the current Master Plan is so old (1988) and USACE regulations have changed significantly in the interim, there will be larger than normal changes to this Master Plan when updated.

The short answer is because it is 35 years old and does not comply with current USACE regulations. Master Plans used to be much more detailed (even detailing how to prune specific species of trees) than our current standards. The authorized land classifications have also changed to account for contemporary land uses like mitigation. The associated Environmental Assessment will consider environmental concerns like endangered species.  

Land classifications determine which activities might be authorized or prohibited on a parcel of land.  For instance, an area classified as High-Density Recreation will likely have camping sites, paved trails, more sophisticated bathrooms for the public, and boat ramps and docks.  An area classified as Wildlife Management will likely have more primitive bathroom facilities and other amenities, because the focus is providing wildlife habitat, not recreational opportunities to the visiting public.  The new land classifications are better defined and a bit simpler than the old land classifications.  Here is a chart comparing the land classifications for the old Master Plan with the currently authorized land classifications that were used in the updated Master Plan:

There are several recreation areas managed by USACE on the shores of Lucky Peak Lake. Lucky Peak Dam Area serves as the entrance to Lucky Peak Lake for most visitors, with Barclay Bay and Turner Gulch boat launch areas only 15 minutes from Boise.  Lydle Gulch offers hiking, biking, and equestrian trails and connects to adjacent public lands.  At another end of Lucky Peak Project lands, Robie Creek Park allows visitors to get away from the city and picnic, grill, and swim. Robie Creek’s ideal layout for non-motorized craft such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes contributes to the laid-back feel of this area.

Visit Lucky Peak Recreation to learn more about recreation opportunities at Lucky Peak.

Working with USACE, partners contribute greatly to management of Project resources. For instance, Idaho Fish and Game manages more than 2,800 acres of Lucky Peak Project lands as part of their 34,000-acre Boise River Wildlife Management Area. Idaho Parks and Recreation operates two of the three Lucky Peak State Park Units (Sandy Point and Spring Shores Marina) on lands under lease from USACE. Finally, Ada County Parks and Waterways provides all of the floating docks at the four USACE-managed boat ramps and over 80 boat-in recreation sites scattered around the lake.