WXPort 

 

Your complete
online news, information,
and recreation guide to
Lake Lanier!
 



Google WWW Lakeside



Lanier Homeowner News,
Lake Listings,
Web Links and More!

HOME    LAKE MAP     DINING GUIDE      CALENDAR       ABOUT US     CONTACT US    CLASSIFIEDS      ADVERTISE      SUBSCRIBE     LAKESIDE LIVING

BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Want to add your business?

Subscribe to Lakeside
Lanier, Allatoona and Hartwell/Keowee

Marine
Crossword
Puzzle

 

Officials concerned about idea of using gravel to extend ramps
By Pamela A. Keene

A proposal before the Hall County Board of Commissioners to extend boat ramps at Lake Lanier using gravel and inmate labor may not be practical over the long term. Doug Aiken of the Hall County Taxpayer Association suggested the idea before the commission as a way to open Bolding Mill and Thompson Bridge Park ramps.

This past spring, several area businesses and citizens joined together to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend ramps in various locations around Lanier.

The Corps assessed the ramps that could most easily be extended due to water levels, shoreline conditions and the like, and brought together a group of lake business people to form a partnership to see that the work was done. The groups, including one headed by Candy Hammond of Hammond’s Fishing in Forsyth County to extend the ramp at Charleston Park, and others succeeded in raising funds to extend four other launch ramps around the lake – East Bank, Clarks Bridge, Van Pugh North and Balus Park.

“The Corps and these folks worked together to select ramps that were best located to serve the most boaters on Lake Lanier,” said Chris Lovelady, chief ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lanier. “Many factors were considered as these ramps were selected, including the feasibility of the locations due to existing slopes beyond the end of the ramps, the presence of dangerous drop offs and the expenses necessary to make these extensions.”

Each of the ramps, except for the ramps at Clarks Bridge, was extended using concrete poured into forms; the ground was properly prepared in advance to assure longevity in the use of the ramps and safety for boaters.

“Gravel alone does not provide a stable platform for launching boats,” he said. “For one, vehicles pulling boats and trailers can lose traction. Secondly, the soil beyond the existing ramp must be hard pan and free of silt to accept improvements. Also, curbs should be added to protect boaters from accidentally backing off the sides of the ramp.”

Gravel alone could have a tendency to sink into the lake bottom or shift, making the ramps unsafe for launches; boaters could easily get stuck in the gravel beyond the poured concrete ramps.

“While it’s an excellent idea to extend more ramps to continue good access to the lake, practicalities and safety must be considered,” Lovelady said. “We are very willing to talk with groups who are interested in extending various ramps and have proposals. We want people to have access to the lake, but safety must be a prime consideration.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO LAKESIDE ALLATOONA             TO LAKESIDE HARTWELL/KEOWEE

130-C John W. Morrow Jr Parkway #200       Gainesville, GA 30501        770-287-1444        fax:770-287-1445

 webmaster: danieldesign2@charter.net