Water, crowds back at Lake Lanier

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Good times return to Lake Lanier

Dave and Jill Boldt from Texas launch a rented canoe at East Bank Park on Lake Lanier. The Boldts visited Lake Lanier in 2007 and were disappointed when they could not have a camp fire due to drought conditions.

Stephany Gill, 18 of Atlanta, left, and Natalis Arisizabal, 13, visiting from Florida, enjoy their visit.

A scene typical on the lake on a busy weekend.

Department of Natural Resources officer corporal Eric Sanders, left, and boating safety officer Mark Stephens patrol Lake Lanier.

John Mark Thorne, who runs fishing charters from the Dam Store on Buford Dam road said the "lake is up, alive and well." He said fishing never really dropped off, but the drought, coupled with the economy took a huge bite out of the business.

Charlie Smith, 6, races to shore at the the West Bank day use area.

Gavin Cloy, a teacher from Alpharetta, said he was enjoying the revived lake with friends in his 24-foot bay boat. "It's not as dangerous," he said. "Last year, there was a lot of land out of water, and it could be hazardous, especially at night." With more ramps open this year, Cloy said access to the lake has been a breeze. Above, East Bank Park.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages Lake Lanier, says people are back. "We know we're up," said Chris Arthur, chief ranger for park operations at Lanier. "Every weekend, the parks and boat ramps are full, especially at the south end (of the lake)."

Aqua Sports Adventures dock hand Howie Dahlen washes a rental wave runner.

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Aqua Sports Adventures owner Tom Helmka takes his brand new rental boat for a break-in run recently. Helmka, 60, saw business plummet 56 percent from 2007 levels last May. This year, he said, May was up 14 percent from 2008.

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