Corps to temporarily close some rec sites at Lanier

MOBILE, Al. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to temporarily close some recreation areas on Lake Lanier.

The corps says its current budget includes a 10 percent cut to all reservoirs such as Lanier. Some facilities at Allatoona Lake will also be closed.

"We looked at a variety of cost cutting measures at these (lakes) to absorb the ten percent cut," said Patrick Robbins, a spokesman for the corps' Mobile district. "But when all was said and done, funds were not available to keep all areas open.

At Lanier, Shady Grove, Bolding Mill and Chestnut Ridge campgrounds will be closed entirely, as will the the Upper Overlook Park day use area.

The picnic areas at Mountain View, Wahoo Creek and Robinson parks will be closed but the boat ramps will remain open, and, Buford Dam Park will be open Thursdays through Sundays only.

At Allatoona, two campgrounds will be closed: Clark Creek South (boat ramp will remain open) and Stamp Creek. Three day use areas there will also be closed: Cooper Branch #2, Kellogg Creek, and 41 #2.

"When determining which campgrounds we would close, we looked at those which had high operational costs but lower visitations," Robbins said. "We also tried to also ensure we didn't impact one specific area of the lake or community. The same was true for the day use areas. Where we have partial closures, we are only closing those aspects of the area which have high maintenance and low visitation."