With miles of winding water lined with trees, the Chattahoochee River offers a scenic respite from bustling Atlanta. When it's hot outside, the cool waters invite visitors daily.
But those same waters can be deadly if you're not prepared. The release of water at Buford Dam sends rapid waves down the river over a period of several hours, turning calm water into moving rapids. There are safety measures in place, but some officials believe even more is needed to protect nature lovers.
“It’s a perpetual challenge," Patricia Wissinger, superintendent of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, told the AJC. "How do we best educate the public that the river is changing all the time?"
The National Park Service is considering tougher restrictions for those wanting to take a float on the river, Wissinger said. Businesses that assist river revelers with their adventures could face more limitations about where people can enter the water, she said. Currently, those renting kayaks and tubes can enter at a variety of locations.
Nine-year-old Anna Van Horn was floating on inner tube rented from a licensed company, with a life preserver, when she drowned Friday afternoon, possibly due to a change in the river's flow. Generally, renting equipment from a company along the river is a safer option, Wissinger said. But not always.
The planned regulations won't affect those who enter the river on their own. And local rescue teams said those people are often the ones who find themselves in trouble.
“People don’t understand how much strength the water has," said Lt. Matt Jamieson with the Gwinnett County fire department. "It’s constant and powerful, even when it doesn’t look like it.”
As a member of the county's Swift Water Rescue Team, Jamieson is one of about 35 firefighters based out of Buford station No. 14, near the Buford Dam. Members of the team train extensively in the moving waters to be prepared for a variety of rescues, which typically require a great deal of manpower and can put public safety personnel at risk, too.
Most often, people will get stranded on rocks or small islands, unable to swim back to shore. In those cases, a simple boat ride brings the person to safety. But it's not always so simple.
The release of water at Buford Dam sends rapid waves down the river over a period of several hours, meaning if you're floating on an inner tube, you'd better be prepared. Those releases are necessary because the dam produces hydo-electric power for surrounding counties, Chris Lovelady, assistant operations manager at the lake, told the AJC.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers schedules water releases based on a variety of factors, Lovelady said. Communities need more power in the hotter parts of the day, making the afternoon a popular time for water releases, he said. Plus, most areas of metro Atlanta, as well as other communities, depend on the water.
“There are a lot of people well south of the Atlanta area that need and rely on the surge of water periodically," Capt. Jason Shivers with the Forsyth County fire department told the AJC.
Warning systems are in place to alert people to the dam's release schedule, but not everyone pays attention.
“The most common occurrence is fishermen who do not heed the warning and get stranded on islands and trees," Shivers said.
In addition to posted signs, warning sirens alert rivergoers to get out of the water within three miles of the dam. On a recent afternoon, those in a park near the dam scurried to shore to avoid the soon-to-be rising water.
"No one should be in the water when the sirens sound," Lovelady said. "The closer you are to the dam, the less time you have."
Further down the river, there are two options for those wanting to stay safe. Those in the area can tune in to radio station AM1610 or call 770-945-1466 to hear a message, recorded daily, explaining the day's dam release schedule. The schedule is subject to change, meaning those planning to enter the water should call immediately before getting in, if possible.
In the future, call boxes may be available near the water, Wissinger, with the National Park Service, told the AJC.
Plus, common sense can help keep those on the water safe. Life preservers, a state requirement for those in the water from the dam to the Ga. 20 bridge, should be worn anywhere on the water, even for experienced swimmers, rescuers said.
“If you’re not a good swimmer, know your limitations," Jamieson said.
Having the proper equipment, such a tube made of heavy-duty rubber and a helmet, can be life-saving. Rivergoers are also cautioned against entering the water alone. Spreading the word about river safety will hopefully prevent future tragedies on the water, officials said.
“The river is a wonderful recreation place and we’re fortunate to have it," Shiver said. "But it absolutely must be protected and must be treated with the utmost respect.”
About the Author
