As the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaches, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is urging caution on the Twin Lakes’ waters. Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes will both be open for business, but high lake levels have made boating and swimming more hazardous and have made some areas around the lakes inaccessible.
On Bull Shoals Lake, the parks at River Run and Theodosia are currently closed. Beaver Creek, Buck Creek, Highway 125 and Tucker Hollow parks are experiencing partial closures.
The four parks closed on Norfork Lake are Henderson, Pigeon Creek, Tecumseh and Udall. Bidwell Park, Cranfield, Robinson Point and Quarry are partially closed.
Among its caution tips, the Corps of Engineers is advising boaters to wear a life jacket regardless of the lake level, and use the boat’s kill switch and slow down for submerged debris. In addition, high water can make the launches from the ramps tricky. When boating near the shore or in coves, the Corps is advising to go slow to avoid underwater obstacles including sign posts, picnic tables, trees, stumps or other obstructions normally seen on dry ground. The Corps is also asking boaters to avoid alcohol as more than half of all drowning victims consume alcohol before their accident.
For more information, go online to the Corps’ Little Rock District website or Facebook page.
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