USACE reopens swim beach at Dam Site Lake Day Use Area
ROGERS, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Beaver Lake Project Office has reopened the swim beach at Dam Site Lake Day Use Area. Bacteria levels are now within the acceptable range which allows the swim beach to reopen.
The swim beach was closed on Aug. 11 because of higher-than-acceptable E. coli levels that were found during routine testing.
For more information on the status of other recreation areas, contact the Beaver Lake Project Office at 479-636-1210.
USACE urges water safety this Labor Day weekend
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reminding everyone to practice good water safety habits and to be courteous with each other over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year at USACE parks and recreation areas.
“This year there have been more than 40 water-related accidents and 17 fatalities in the Little Rock District,” said Little Rock District Commander, Col. Damon Knarr. “With more boaters and swimmers expected to be on the water across the region this weekend, we are asking visitors to be patient and courteous at boat launch ramps and to slow down and watch out for each other,” he continued.
In addition to large crowds, USACE is warning boaters to exercise additional caution while on the water. While current lake levels are not unusual for late summer reservoir operations, it may have been a few years since recreational boaters have seen these conditions at some of the district’s lakes. Plan extra time for arrival and departure at boat launch ramps in the event there are closures.
Officials urge boaters to take extra safety measures as some areas may encompass underwater obstacles such as land points, tree stumps, rock formations, and standing timber. Boaters should use depth finders or other navigation resources, stay in main river channels, and give the shoreline a wide birth.
USACE is asking everyone to wear their life jacket, don’t drink alcoholic beverages and operate a boat, never swim alone, and swim and dive only in designated swim areas.
Following these safety tips can help make your family’s holiday a safe and enjoyable one.
USACE draws attention to Greers Ferry water levels ahead of Labor Day weekend
HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is cautioning boaters and visitors to pay attention to Greers Ferry Lake water levels. While these are normal conditions for late summer reservoir operations, they are low for recreational boaters. The lake is more than 7 feet below the top of the conservation pool and falls daily as we approach the Labor Day weekend. This has prompted USACE to close several boat launch ramps around the lake.
The following is the closure notification and status for multiple ramps around the lake: The Old 25 Day Use ramp is closed and the Old 25 Campground boat ramp is open with limited parking, Heber Springs Recreation Area is restricted to the corrugated ramp only, Sugarloaf boat ramp area is closed and the beach area launch ramp is open, Cove Creek Park’s main ramp is closed and the smaller ramp is open, Dam Site Park J loop ramp in the campground is restricted to the corrugated ramp only, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission ramp at Devils Fork is closed and the park ramp is open.
The Greer Ferry Lake Project Office is working to keep at least one launch ramp open in each park. Courtesy and patience at the ramps will be needed.
Officials are urging boaters to slow down, wear life jackets, use depth finders or other navigation resources, stay in main channels, give the shoreline a wide birth, and be especially careful at night.
Information on water levels can be found on the Little Rock District website at www.swl.usace.army.mil by clicking on the water level button or by using the district smartphone app that can be found by searching “USACE Little Rock” in all major app stores.
Additional recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usacelittlerock.
