The aging boat docks around Isabella Lake will be replaced. But, in the meantime, at least one local resident said he had a rough time of things when the dock he launched from suddenly disappeared.

He'd set out from the dock at Red's Marina near Paradise Cove a couple weeks ago. But after doing some fishing, the dock was gone when he returned.

U.S. Forest Service personnel had pulled the dock out.

"We do apologize if people were out on the lake," Forest spokeswoman Cheryl Bauer told Eyewitness News. "We didn't mean to leave boaters with no access."

Bauer said that dock was pulled out of the water due to safety concerns, and for some repairs.

But, she said all the docks will soon be replaced with better ones. The Sequoia National Forest got a grant for $470,000 from the California Department of Boats and Waterways to replace six docks in five locations.

The Forest Service now plans to replace docks at Launch 19/Main Dam, South Fork Recreation Area, Camp 9 Campground, and Tillie Creek. Two docks will be replaced at Old Isabella.

But, the process is taking a while. Bauer said the Forest Service has worked to get agreements for the new docks, and she adds the ones they've settled on will be a real improvement.

They're designed to better withstand the wind and water conditions on the lake that take a toll on these boat launch facilities. Bauer said the new docks will also be longer and more accessible.

The Forest Service notes boat launching facilities have been provided on the lake since the reservoir first opened in 1954. They say, based on their data and numbers from the Kern County Parks Department, it looks like use has steadily increased over the years.

At this point, they say more than 10,000 sport anglers and other recreation users are drawn to Isabella for various fishing derbies and tournaments, jet-ski activities and other events.

The Forest Service description for the new dock project notes the old ones have been in service more than 20 years. "We're doing our best to keep them together and serviceable on the lake," Bauer said.

And, she said the Forest Service now hopes to have the new docks in place by the end of this December.