Chilkoot Lake Tours began annual maintenance on the Chilkoot Lake boat docks July 6. This year, dock repairs will be more extensive than in past years, including replacing sideboards.

The company, which uses the docks for its boats, has maintained the facility on behalf of the state since the docks were installed about 15 years ago, operator Jeanette Baker said.

The timing is ideal for the repairs because COVID-19 has greatly diminished tourism in Haines this summer, Baker said. The work “is normally done in short bursts and around the busiest times of the day so the public doesn’t feel the impact,” Baker said. “This year, with less tourism, we will be taking advantage of the nicer days and performing regular maintenance throughout the day, which the public may notice.”

The repairs may require partial or full closure of the docks, Baker said. She asks that the public comply with any signs relating to closures, and said the maintenance work will continue into August.