Drought forces partial closure of Clermont boat ramp as lake levels continue to drop

One of Central Florida’s longest droughts in decades is creating problems at the Clermont City Boat Ramp, where falling lake levels forced crews to close part of the ramp Thursday and boaters say conditions are becoming more difficult and dangerous.People who use the ramp said the water normally reaches the point where the metal ramp meets the dock. This week, the shoreline had pulled back several feet, exposing areas that are usually underwater.City crews closed the right side of the boat ramp after low water levels exposed a protective material on the ramp that had to be cut and removed.Boaters Jason and Erica Bailey watched the work unfold and said the drought is changing more than the view.[WATCH: Central Florida drought deepens, prompting tighter watering rules in Phase Three counties]“Once the levels go down, you can have obstructions in the water,” Jason said. “Some things could potentially be dangerous, especially around the bridges and seawall areas.”The couple said they have