Lakes have been on the rise most of the year following the devastating and prolonged drought that kept them well-below normal levels, making boating, skiing, and, in some cases, swimming hazardous. They've been busy places, though, all this summer... with water levels at or near normal. July 4th weekend was a busy one but rain cut into activity and crowds Memorial Day.
One problem we don't hear about that often which those who patrol the lakes are emphasizing as we head into Labor Day weekend are those boaters who only come visit a lake on holiday weekends... and the problems their inexperience can cause such as plowing the waters after sunset.
"People who rarely who rarely operate their boats come out and then they're out there after dark (without their lights on)," Pamela Shelton, a ranger who patrols Georgia's lakes, said, "and (that's) the number one cause of boating incidents."
And, she tells Georgia News Network boating under the influence is still a great concern. "We alwasy want people to have a sober operator."
In light of the death of a woman on Lake Allatoona a few days ago who was dragged into some rocks while tubing, Shelton says boaters must remember the "100 foot idle rule."
"You can't pull a skier or tuber within 100 feet of a stationary object," she said. "(And) you have to be going at idle speed when you're 100 feet from a dock, someone in the water, (or) an anchored boat."
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Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/9/222965