Dawson Co.'s last remaining open boat ramp closing

DAWSONVILLE - Recent rains are not enough to prevent the closure of yet another boat ramp on Lake Lanier.

The only boat launching ramp at War Hill Park in Dawson County faces closure this week. It is the only ramp operated by Dawson County that has still been in use.

"As water levels continue to go down in Lake Lanier, we are once again faced with the impending closure of the boat ramp at War Hill Park," said Dawson County Recreation Director Lisa Henson. "It's a tough call, but safety dictates what we must do in this situation. The end of the ramp is in approximately two feet of water which is not enough to safely launch your boat. The trailers are dropping off the end of the ramp and becoming stuck, sometimes requiring tow truck assistance to get out of the lake."

Dawson County Parks and Recreation was forced to close the ramp last year during the same low lake level period.

At that time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended a plan that would have allowed Dawson County to extend the ramp once the lake reached its lowest level for the season. With plans in place and work scheduled to begin, lake levels began to rise as quickly as they had fallen due to an early fall rainy season.

"The window of opportunity was gone but thankfully the lake level rose, allowing the ramp to be reopened," Henson said.

What happens now?

The corps cautions "chasing the water" in a 50-year drought situation is not the answer. "Dumping a truck load of gravel off the end of the ramp or trying to import concrete slab extensions into the water are not viable solutions," Henson said.

"Two...alternatives include either waiting for the water to recede to its lowest fall level (usually late August to early September) and install a concrete extension off the existing ramp or; build a coffer dam and literally 'part the waters' while installing the extension, the same method used at Charleston Park in 2007," Henson said. "Needless to say, 'parting the water' is very costly and could run upwards of $50,000, and the corps will not contribute to the cost."

County Manager Kevin Tanner supports the need for permanent extension of the ramp.

"We have explored all options and have determined we will wait until the water reaches the lowest level and then extend the ramp," Tanner said. "This will be done internally with Dawson County departments and will provide a longer period of seasonal use in years to come. The solution the county has chosen is estimated to cost approximately $3,000. This is the most cost-effective solution."