More water means more visitors for Lanier

BUFORD - Now that the level of Lake Lanier is within 5 feet of full pool, the lake is a much more appealing destination for Memorial Day weekend.

Chief Ranger Chris Arthur with the Army Corps of
Engineers' office in Buford said traffic is likely to be way up on the lake this year. And, with that, the Lake Lanier Water Safety Task Force is reviewing its plan of action for the weekend.

The Task Force involves law enforcement from five counties that border the lake, as well as the Corps, Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Arthur said the group will meet Thursday for several hours. "We'll lay out our schedules, our manpower, the equipment, where our rescue boats are going to be, where we need to focus our manpower," said Arthur.

Some 300,000 visitors are expected to visit Lake Lanier for the three-day Memorial Day weekend. That's welcome news to Arthur.

"You know, last year we were probably down 40%, I guess, on the overall visitation to lake," noted Arthur.

According to Arthur, all boat ramps on Lanier are open, and he said the beaches look good at all of the parks on Lanier, as well.