Record crowds expected on Lake Lanier for Memorial Day weekend

Based on the forecast and the good conditions on the water, record numbers of visitors are expected on Lake Lanier for the Memorial Day weekend.

 

Mark McKinnon, Public Affairs Officer for the Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said it's already been a dangerous year on Lake Lanier and authorities know large crowds can often translate to trouble. 

 

"So far on Lake Lanier this year, we've had three boating incidents...we've had five injuries, we've had the two fatalities that just recently occurred and we've had one drowning," McKinnon said. "Those numbers are not acceptable to me or to any of our game wardens out there because 99.9% of the time, any kind of boating fatality or drowning is preventable."

 

To that end, DNR plans to have a full contingent of rangers and wardens on and around Lake Lanier, making sure people are following safe practices while they enjoy the water.

 

"Wearing a life jacket, not driving a boat impaired, being alert, obeying the 100-foot law - which means you must stay at least 100 feet away from anything - if you're in a vessel and going more than idle speed," McKinnon said.

 

He said DNR will have a zero-tolerance policy in place this weekend for anyone caught operating a boat while drinking alcohol. 

 

"I heard our colonel say this week specifically that drinking and boating will not be tolerated," McKinnon said. "You cannot be impaired on a boat and if you are, his exact words were, you will go to jail...that's something we can't compromise on."

 

The level of Lanier, by the way, has dropped below the high level prompted by heavy spring rains. The level on Thursday morning was 1071.02, right at the full summer pool mark. 

 

McKinnon said having the lake at full pool is typically safer than when the level is lower. Still, he said it's important to be extra cautious when swimming or boating on any natural body of water.