Lanier parks, beaches reopen as high water recedes

Photo taken June 6 at Lake Lanier shows how heavy rains from Tropical Storm Alberto raised lake’s level well beyond full pool. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Photo taken June 6 at Lake Lanier shows how heavy rains from Tropical Storm Alberto raised lake’s level well beyond full pool. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

About two weeks after heavy rains at Lake Lanier forced the closure of swim areas, boat ramps and parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday, June 14, that it’s now safe to go back in the water — everywhere.

"With the lake below 1,073 feet, all USACE recreation facilities and beaches are open," the Corps said on its Facebook page.

Tropical Storm Alberto dumped six to eight inches into the Lanier watershed, raising the lake’s level to more than three feet above its full-pool elevation of 1,071 feet.

The Corps released water into the Chattahoochee River and reopened parks, ramps and beaches as the lake level went down, but as late as Wednesday, June 13, the beaches at Buford Dam Park, Lanier Park, Little Hall, Keith’s Bridge and Long Hollow and the first beach at West Bank were still closed, according to the Corps Facebook page.