Sgt. Mike Burgany with the Georgia Department of Human Resources says recent rains notwithstanding, Labor Day weekend boaters should not lulled into a sense of security because of the recent increase in the lake level.
"We were already at a dangerously low level," Burgany said. "There are all kinds of obstacles that are showing right now that we haven't seen in a long time."
Burgany says it's going to take a lot more rain before a return to the good old days on Lake Lanier.
The level of the lake was up another .12 foot early Friday and is up 2.42 feet since Monday.
But, DNR warns that there are still a lot of boating hazards just under the surface of the water that are usually not a problem when the Lanier is at normal summertime levels. Also, most designated swimming areas are still hazardous because there is so little water left in the areas usually roped off for swimming.
Burgany says if you're not a good swimmer, then don't go in the water without a life vest on.
"Most of the time a high percentage of our drownings are folks who are not familiar with the lake step off on drop offs and are marginal, at best, swimmers," he said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212805