Kansas state parks are ready for the unofficial last weekend of summer.

According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism it’s been a great summer, and Kansans have perhaps appreciated it more after the last two summers we’ve endured. Despite the recent stretch of hot weather, for most of the summer there have been cooler temperatures and in many areas of the state, welcome rain. At most parks, low water levels are not a problem any longer, although a few parks ended up with too much of a good thing.

For instance, water levels on Toronto Reservoir rose so high that parts of Cross Timbers State Park weren’t accessible. High water at Elk City went down, and boat ramps, docks and utility campsites are open. Fall River State Park is open, even though the reservoir level is still high. While boat ramps are open and usable at these lakes, boaters should be alert to floating debris brought in by flooding.

Water levels are normal or above at Kanopolis, Cheney, and El Dorado lakes, which experienced access and boating problems because of low water for much of the summer. Current water levels have boat ramps useable.

It’s been a mild summer and water temperatures are perfect for boating, skiing and fishing.