New Priorities for Corps’ Park Rangers

Wednesday, 16 May 2012 15:28 Written by Robert Sutherland 1 Comment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on Lake Lanier, in response to several fatal accidents and low water levels on the lake, made two announcements.

As of May 20, 2012, the Corps will suspend the review of upgrades to existing private docks and permit requests for new private docks.

The Corps is also directing its park ranger staff to promote water safety on Lake Lanier. Rangers will speak personally with visitors and will diligently patrol the lake to keep it as safe as humanly possible.

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lisa Coghlan said “We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but it is important to be able to shift available staff to assist project visitors during the peak recreation season. We expect that we will need all available park rangers until some point after the Labor Day holiday.”

We are grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers for their faithful service to the 7.5 million people who visit Lake Lanier each year.

Click Here for the Corps’ Lake Lanier Website

Moonlight Cruise on Lake Lanier?

Saturday, 05 May 2012 15:05 Written by Robert Sutherland 0 Comments

The Super Moon is back!

No, we don’t mean that “large” lady at Chastain Park in the spandex capris.

We’re referring to what NASA calls “The perigee full moon [that] will be as much as 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than other full moons of 2012.”

Sounds like a great night to go for a Midnight Cruise on Lake Lanier, right?

Sorry, but that ranks right up there with buying Yahoo! stock at its all-time high of $118.75 a share on January 3, 2000 (closing price on 5-4-12: $15.15) or taking a romantic stroll in the Fire Swamp with your honey.

US Army Corps of Engineers Operations Project Manager Tim Rainey issued a warning about Lake Lanier’s low waters, “we’re six feet down, and … there’s potential to be some more underwater hazards” compared to last May.

Mr. Rainey urges boaters to slow down and “always keep a lookout.”

You might know safe paths around Lake Lanier when the lake is at full pool, but when the level drops you could be headed for disaster. Even during a Supermoon Cruise.

The standard warnings from the Corps should be heeded. They can save your life:

Maintain your navigational lights and use them.
Keep a working fire extinguisher on board.
Have life jackets accessible for all passengers. They’re of no value buried in the hull.
Carry a two-way radio on board.
Don’t drink and drive.

Please be careful — night or day — on Lake Lanier.

Click Here for Corps of Engineers Low Water Warning

Applications for Lake Lanier Dock Permits

Monday, 26 March 2012 21:18 Written by Robert Sutherland 0 Comments

: High and Dry — Robert J. Sutherland

The Army Corps of Engineers is once again reviewing applications for the limited number of docks allocated to Lake Lanier.

The process was halted when the lake’s levels dropped precipitously in 2007. In 2010, permits were reviewed for a limited time. Currently, the corps has about 90 permits available to issue and roughly 100 applications to review.

Not all applications are accepted, however, so you might still have a chance to obtain a dock permit for your property.

Click Here for the Corp’s 2004 Shoreline Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

Click Here to Apply for a Dock Permit

Dock Lottery Status as of 12-5-2011

Lake Lanier Water Levels — First Day of Spring 2012

Tuesday, 20 March 2012 20:16 Written by Robert Sutherland 0 Comments

: Lake Lanier rowing venue — Robert J. Sutherland

“Spring is sprung.

Da lake is riz.

I wonder where da boaters is?”

(We are a freelance writer. We are not a poet. Sorry.)

Winter is officially behind us. Today is the first day of spring — and it’s a dandy. Sunny and 82 degrees. Perfect for a day on our lake.

Lake Lanier is still measured by “winter pool,” however. According to that measure, the lake is down 4.63′ from full (winter) pool. That’s far better than last November 14th, when the lake sunk to 1057.91′. We’re almost 7.5′ above that level today. Not perfect, but it could be worse.

We’ll keep you updated on Lake Lanier’s levels from time to time. If you get impatient, we invite you to click here for daily updates on the levels of GA’s Corps of Engineers lakes.

Storms Raise Lake Lanier’s Levels

Monday, 05 March 2012 23:43 Written by Robert Sutherland 0 Comments

The storms in early March brought tragedy to many communities and families in the South. We send our condolences to all who suffered losses. Lake Lanier was the beneficiary, however, of quite of bit of rainfall. For that, we are thankful.

On Sunday, March 4th, the water level in Lake Lanier was 1,064.33 feet above sea level. On February 20th, the lake was a foot lower. Today’s level is 1,064.39, the highest it’s been in six months.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief Ranger Ernest Noe says the corps can resume reviewing applications for dock permits on Lake Lanier. Applications were suspended last September when the lake’s level dropped significantly.

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